A powerful and finely hand-coloured engraving from The Illustrated London News, capturing General Lord Chelmsford on horseback as he inspects the Native Contingent along the banks of the Thukela River during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Raised shields, rifles, and spears fill the foreground as Zulu auxiliaries, employed by the British, offer a rhythmic war cry — transcribed in the caption as "Hi-hi-ooo!" — in salute to Chelmsford. The general, flanked by mounted staff officers, returns the salute from horseback, with the entire formation conveying the tense, complex alliances forged during the campaign.
This image, originally sketched by war correspondent and artist Melton Prior, was engraved by W.H. Overend and vividly evokes both the visual pageantry and colonial symbolism of the moment. The artwork reflects the dual narratives of loyalty and subjugation that characterized Britain’s reliance on indigenous auxiliaries in its imperial conflicts.
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Matted dimensions: 25 x 19.5 inches
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Image dimensions: 18 x 12 inches
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Condition: Light central fold as issued; vibrant hand-colouring well preserved with only minor age toning to the margins. Overall very fine.
