A RARE ENGRAVING OF REVEREND AARON

A RARE ENGRAVING OF REVEREND AARON

AFTER GEORGE VERTUE, AFTER AN UNKNOWN ARTIST

depicting the first Indian preacher, in a later moulded frame

30.6 x 20.5cm

Provenance

Parker & Morris: The Art of Decorating.

Catalogue Note

Born into a Vellala caste family in Cuddalore in the South India state of Tamil Nadu, he was originally named Arumugam by his father, a merchant who traded with the East India Company. When the first Protestant mission in India opened a school in his neighbourhood, he was one of the first students at the school to learn from Tamil books printed by the Tranquebar Lutheran Mission. In 1718 he travelled to Tranquebar where he was baptised and Christened 'Aaron' by Bartholomaeus Ziegenbaig a pioneer of Protestant missionary activity in India. Aaron ordained as a minister on 20 December, 1733. During his short lived ministry (which ended with his death on 25 June 1745) he built a strong reputation as a man of courage and integrity. He was mourned by both Hindus and Christians.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LOT IS TO BE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE.