Not currently on display at the V&A

THE INDIAN JUGGLERS

Print
1/10/1813 (Published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This was printed by Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834) who established a print shop in 1795 at 96 Strand which he moved in 1797 to 101 Strand and named The Repository of Arts. He sold prints and illustrated books but known for the periodical he started in 1809 The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashion and Politics. This print shows the Indian jugglers who became a great attraction in London in 1813 after they were brought to England from Calcutta by Captain Peter Campbell on board HMS Lord Keith. Campbell arranged a private performance for the Prince Regent and Parliament before installing them at 87 Pall Mall where for a three shilling entry fee they could be seen four times a day demonstrating 'jugglery, acrobatics, yogic contortions, and sleight of hand'.

The Times, 27 July 1813 reported: 'The exhibition of the Indian jugglers at no. 87 Pall Mall has been attended by nearly all the Families of distinction in town, and is becoming extremely popular. The swallowing of the sword, and the novelty of the other performances, have attracted public attention beyond anything that has appeared in the metropolis for many years past.'

Ackermann originally printed a larger version of this in September 1813. Presumably he printed this smaller, cheaper version a month later because it sold so well.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleTHE INDIAN JUGGLERS (published title)
Materials and techniques
Printing ink and watercolour on paper
Brief description
Hand-coloured lithograph titled The Indian Jugglers. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, 101 Strand, 1st October 1813
Physical description
Hand-coloured etching showing three Indian jugglers sitting on a dais, one playing the hand cymbals, one balancing an incense burner resting on a trivet of incense sticks on his mouth and nose, a second swallowing a sword, and one at the back playing hand-cymbals. Titled in the margin below: 'Published by R. Ackermann 101 Strand 1 Oct 1813' 'THE INDIAN JUGGLERS'

Dimensions
  • Height: 14.7cm
  • Width: 23.2cm
Summary
This was printed by Rudolph Ackermann (1764-1834) who established a print shop in 1795 at 96 Strand which he moved in 1797 to 101 Strand and named The Repository of Arts. He sold prints and illustrated books but known for the periodical he started in 1809 The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashion and Politics. This print shows the Indian jugglers who became a great attraction in London in 1813 after they were brought to England from Calcutta by Captain Peter Campbell on board HMS Lord Keith. Campbell arranged a private performance for the Prince Regent and Parliament before installing them at 87 Pall Mall where for a three shilling entry fee they could be seen four times a day demonstrating 'jugglery, acrobatics, yogic contortions, and sleight of hand'.

The Times, 27 July 1813 reported: 'The exhibition of the Indian jugglers at no. 87 Pall Mall has been attended by nearly all the Families of distinction in town, and is becoming extremely popular. The swallowing of the sword, and the novelty of the other performances, have attracted public attention beyond anything that has appeared in the metropolis for many years past.'

Ackermann originally printed a larger version of this in September 1813. Presumably he printed this smaller, cheaper version a month later because it sold so well.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
S.246-2018

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Record createdOctober 10, 2018
Record URL
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