Birds · 18th century
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Good condition. Paper slightly toned with minor foxing and edge wear, typical for the period. Vertical centerfold as issued.
Embalmed Birds and Nile Fish – Egyptian Natural Curiosities, c.1776
This intriguing antique engraving presents a detailed study of natural and ritual specimens found in Egypt, dating from around 1776. The upper portion of the print is titled "Afbeeldingen van Gebalsemde Vogelen in Egypte," meaning "Images of Embalmed Birds in Egypt." It depicts seven objects labeled A to G, which represent the remains of birds mummified in ancient Egyptian tradition. These sacred birds—likely ibises, falcons, or other species linked to the gods Thoth and Horus—were often embalmed as religious offerings and buried in dedicated necropolises. The illustrations reflect their various wrappings and stages of preservation, some still encased in conical packages, while others reveal exposed anatomical structures.
Below the mummified specimens are two fish native to Egyptian waters, each finely engraved. The first is labeled "De Gourour of Siaar, een visch van den Nyl" – the Gourour or Siaar, a fish from the Nile. This fish resembles a type of catfish, with clear barbels and rounded fins. The second fish is labeled "De Seffes of Sadbout, een visch van het meer Moeris" – the Seffes or Sadbout, a fish from Lake Moeris (an ancient lake in the Faiyum region, now known as Birket Qarun). This species has a long, pointed snout and scaled body, bearing similarity to the African freshwater elephantfish or perhaps a stylized rendering of the Nile perch.
This composition offers a rare window into the intersection of natural history and ancient religious practice. The print likely originates from an 18th-century Dutch or German encyclopedic work on Egypt, combining archaeological finds with observations of Egyptian fauna. Its illustrative detail and cultural relevance make it a unique and informative piece suitable for collectors of natural history, Egyptology, or early scientific illustration.
Condition report: Good condition. Paper slightly toned with minor foxing and edge wear, typical for the period. Vertical centerfold as issued.
Framing tips: A neutral ivory or sand-colored mat with a dark wood or black frame would provide an elegant contrast to the creamy paper and bring out the detail in the engravings.
Technique: Engraving
Maker: Anonymous, Dutch school, circa 1776
