Bohemian Waxwing – Ampelis Garrulus from Nederlandsche Vogelen, 1797
€ 950
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1797
Mapmaker / artist
Cornelius Nozeman (Author),M. Houttuyn (Author),J.C. Sepp (Artist)
Technique
Engraved
Sheet size
53.5 × 37 cm (21.1 × 14.6 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05991/106
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Excellent colors and strong impression. Minimal age-toning to margins, very light handling marks. Text pages crisp with sharp printing, few brown spots on the bottom and one small worm hole in the right margin. No tears, foxing, or repairs.
About this sheet
Bohemian Waxwing – Ampelis Garrulus from Nederlandsche Vogelen, 1797
This fine hand-colored engraving shows two Bohemian waxwings (Ampelis garrulus) perched on bare branches, with a single egg depicted below. The artist captures the species’ distinctive features: soft buff-gray plumage, a sleek black mask, a pointed crest, white wing patches, and bright yellow tail tips. On closer inspection, the red “waxy” tips on the secondary wing feathers—unique to waxwings—are visible, a trait that gives the species its English name. The composition, with the birds shown in different poses, provides a detailed study of their markings and proportions.
The Bohemian waxwing breeds in the boreal forests of northern Europe, Asia, and North America, migrating southwards in winter in search of berries. In the Netherlands, it is primarily a winter visitor, often appearing in flocks during irruption years when food is scarce further north. Its diet includes rowan berries, hawthorn, and mistletoe, as well as insects in the breeding season. The bird’s elegant coloring and graceful posture have made it a favorite subject for ornithological illustrators.
This engraving originates from Nederlandsche Vogelen; volgens hunne huisdouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreeven, Amsterdam, 1770–1829, by Cornelius Nozeman, Martinus Houttuyn, and Jan Christiaan Sepp. This monumental work was the first comprehensive study of Dutch birdlife, depicting species close to life-size and often in their natural surroundings. The collaboration between scientists and artists resulted in some of the most accurate and beautiful ornithological plates of the 18th century.
Condition summary: Excellent colors and strong impression. Minimal age-toning to margins, very light handling marks. Text pages crisp with sharp printing, few brown spots on the bottom and one small worm hole in the right margin. No tears, foxing, or repairs.
Framing tips: A soft off-white or light cream mount will enhance the delicate gray-buff tones, while a simple dark wood or black frame with a thin gold inner slip will add elegance without overpowering the composition. UV-protective glass will preserve the vivid hand-coloring.
