Un Ceinturier (belt maker or seller)

DateCa. 1730

Engraver Martin Engelbrecht

MediumHand colored etching and line engraving

DimensionsOverall: 14 × 8 1/2in. (35.6 × 21.6cm) Other (plate to marks including title): 7 3/4 × 12 3/4in. (19.7 × 32.4cm) Other (plate alone): 10 1/2 × 7 1/4in. (26.7 × 18.4cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1955-150,9A

DescriptionUpper right corner reads: "53"
Lower margin reads: "Un Ceinturier./ Ein Gürtler./ 1. une Eclume. 1. ein Ambos. / 2. un repoussoir à dents. 2. ein fezmeisel. 3. une lime. 3. eine keile. / 4. un unissoir. 4. ein Beckhamer. 5. burin. 5. grab stichel. 5. une ceinture. 6. Leibgurf. 7. un souflet. 7./ Blasbig. 8. un ecusson./ 8. ein Schild. 9. une plaque. 9. ein Wandleuchter. 10 ceinturon. 10. Degen ge./ häng. 11. ceinture de roulier. 11. khurmans gurth. 12. gibciére. 12. Waidfalche. 14. ceinturon. 13. Mez/ger gürtons lisses. 14. petite trompette. 14. kleine Trompete. 15. boutons façonnes. 15. krauße knöpffe. 16. bou/tons lisses16. glasse knöpffe. 17. boucles de Souliers. 17. Schue schnallen. 18. jaretiéres. 18. knie gür/tel. 19. un ceinturon brode. 19. ein geltickht Degen gehäng. 20. Crochet à l'angloise. 20. Carbiner hackhen. / 21. un Cercle. 21. ein Zireckul./ Cum Priv. Maj. / Mart. Engelbrecht excud. A.V."
Label TextMartin Engelbrecht’s mid-18th century publication on trades included both a male and female illustration of each trade or profession in creative ways. Though they represent the tools that tradesmen used and the products they produced, they were meant to entertain elite audiences rather than inform about the labor involved in these trades or professions.This print represents an idealized version of a belt maker or seller of belts. He carries his wares and tools of that trade on his person as follows: 1. (in hat) une Enclume (anvil); 2. (in hat) un repoussoir a dents (punch for prong holes); 3. (in hat) une lime (file); 4. un unissoir (joiner); 5. (in hat) burin (graving tool). 6. (round waist) une ceinture (belt); 7.(right hand) un Souflet (bellows); 8. (round neck) un ecusson (coat of arms); 9. (round neck) une plaque (candle sconce); 10. (over arms) ceinturon (belt); 11. (round chest) ceinture de roulier (belt makers smock); 12. (at waist) gibeiere (pouch); 13. (at waist) ceinturon (belts); 14. (at waist) petite trompette (small trumpets); 15. (at waist) boutons faconnes (figured buttons; 16. (at waist) boutons lisses (polished buttons); 17. (at waist) boucles de Souliers (buckles for shoes); 18. (round Knee) jaretieres (garters); 19. (over arms) un ceinturon brode (embroidered belts); 20. at waist) Crochet a l'angloise (knitting needles); 21. (right hand) un Cercle (compass).

This print is from a series of 189 engravings consisting prints featuring depictions of tradesmen in the format known as composite figures, which are human figures made up of objects. Sometimes various accoutrements or tools are cleverly incorporated into recognizable garments or even replace body parts. Each plate represents different trades by trades men and women dressed with associated tools and products. They do not represent actual tradespeople nor are they meant to suggest that women participated in these trades, though in some cases they may have.They were designed by Johann Jacob Stelzner (1706-1780), C.F. Horstman and M. Rosler. They were etched by Martin Engelbrecht ( 1684–1756). The series was published in a compilation known as, From Martin Engelbrecht, "L' Assemblage nouveau des manouvries habilles or Neu-eröffnete Sammlung der mit ihren eigenen Arbeiten und Werkzeugen eingekleideten Künstlern, Handwerkern und Professionen," (Augsburg, Germany, ca. 1730).