Birds · 20th century
€ 390
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition for their age with light age toning to the paper and occasional minor spotting in the margins. The printed images remain clean and well preserved.
This refined pair of Scandinavian ornithological lithographs depicts the male and female of the striking sea duck known as Steller’s Eider, scientifically identified as Eniconetta stelleri (modern classification Polysticta stelleri). The prints originate from the distinguished Swedish natural history publication Svenska Fåglar Efter Naturen Och På Sten Ritade, issued in Sweden in 1929 by the Stockholm publisher A. Börtzells. This celebrated series represents the elegant Nordic tradition of early twentieth-century wildlife illustration, combining scientific accuracy with the restrained aesthetic typical of Scandinavian design.
The two plates form a natural pair, illustrating the clear sexual dimorphism of this Arctic species. The male Steller’s Eider is one of the most visually distinctive sea ducks, characterized by its dramatic black, white, and warm buff coloration, along with the unmistakable pale head and patterned wings. In contrast, the female is depicted in softer brown plumage with delicate feather patterning that provides camouflage in the wild. Presented together, the plates beautifully demonstrate the biological contrast between the sexes while maintaining the harmonious style of the series.
Each bird is portrayed standing on a rocky shoreline, rendered with careful attention to posture, plumage texture, and anatomical proportion. The backgrounds remain intentionally minimal, allowing the viewer to focus on the distinctive characteristics of the species. Beneath each image appears the Latin scientific name Eniconetta stelleri together with the Swedish name Alförrädare, reflecting the educational purpose of the publication and its role in documenting the birdlife of Scandinavia and the Arctic regions.
Lithography was particularly well suited to natural history illustration. The technique allowed artists to reproduce subtle tonal transitions and intricate feather detail while maintaining a balanced palette of natural colors. Scandinavian natural history publications from this period are widely admired for their clarity of presentation and their elegant balance between art and science.
Today these prints are appreciated both by collectors of natural history imagery and by interior designers who value their calm palette and refined composition. Displayed together as a pair, the male and female Steller’s Eider create a striking decorative contrast that works beautifully in coastal homes, libraries, studies, or Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
Condition:
Good condition for their age with light age toning to the paper and occasional minor spotting in the margins. The printed images remain clean and well preserved.
Framing tips:
These two lithographs frame beautifully as a pair with generous ivory or warm off-white mats and simple walnut, oak, or Scandinavian-style frames. Hanging the prints side by side highlights the contrast between the male and female plumage while maintaining a balanced presentation.
Technique: Color lithographs
Series: Svenska Fåglar Efter Naturen Och På Sten Ritade
Maker: A. Börtzells, Sweden, 1929
