Birds · 19th century
€ 140
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
General age-related toning. Minor wear and foxing, blank verso. Good condition with light age spotting in the margins. Please study image carefully.
Ruffs and Reeves in Breeding Plumage, Ornithological Lithograph c.1895
This vivid antique chromolithograph, dating from around 1900, presents a stunning group of *Philomachus pugnax*, commonly known as the Ruff (males) and Reeve (female). The print captures these distinctive shorebirds in their dramatic breeding plumage, a seasonal transformation that makes them one of the most visually fascinating species of the European wetlands.
The composition features several male Ruffs in full courtship display, each adorned with elaborate ruff-like collars of feathers and uniquely patterned heads—ranging from pale white to rich brown and deep black, illustrating the species’ remarkable plumage variation. Their extravagant posture and feather displays evoke the combative nature of the males during the mating season, when they compete in small leks to impress females.
In contrast, a Reeve—the smaller, more subtly colored female—appears near the water’s edge in the foreground, her plumage soft brown with delicately speckled markings. The surrounding environment, with marsh grasses and still water under an open sky, provides a tranquil setting that enhances the birds’ lively presence.
Signed “E. de M.” in the lower right, this chromolithograph is the work of a skilled natural history illustrator, most likely E. de Maes, who was known for his precise and lifelike depictions of birds. Chromolithography allowed for rich color layering and was widely used in ornithological publications of the period, giving this print its vivid natural tones and sharp feather details.
Ideal for collectors of antique bird prints or lovers of decorative natural history art, this plate celebrates one of Europe’s most charismatic wetland species.
Condition and framing tips:
Very good condition with strong color and clean margins. Frame in walnut or gold-tone wood with an ivory mat to highlight the vibrant plumage and create an elegant contrast with the lush greens and warm tones of the birds’ environment.
