"Praetor-Urbanus;"-Inaguration of the Coptic Mayor of Cairo, preceded by the Procureur de la Commune., James Gillray, 1799

A grotesque, obese, black copt, holding a mace or staff, rides (right to left) an ass which, though led procession-ally by a copt, proceeds on account of the bayonet with which a grinning french soldier stabs its hind quarters. The 'mayor' wears a french military coat and breeches, with a tricolour scarf and cocked hat with large tricolour plumes. He is otherwise naked, and a heavy chain of beads hangs from his ear. The 'procureur' is naked except for a cocked hat and tricolour scarf; he carries a (?) goad as a staff of office. Behind his ear is a pen. 12 march 1799 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1799. Dimensions: Height: 253 mm; Width: 359 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. "Praetor-Urbanus;"-Inaguration of the Coptic Mayor of Cairo, preceded by the Procureur de la Commune. (BM 1868,0808.6828)