One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1809
Mapmaker / artist
Cornelius Nozeman (Artist)
Technique
Engraved
Sheet size
36 × 52 cm (14.2 × 20.5 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-04710
Condition
Very good. Clean impression with strong colour. Light toning in margins only, not affecting image. Few tiny edge tears and light handling in wide margins. Text page with minimal toning, two small spots, and two tiny margin holes.
This fine hand-coloured engraving depicts the spotted crake (Porzana porzana), known in Dutch as the “kleine waterhoen.” Belonging to the rail family (Rallidae), this elusive waterbird inhabits marshes and reedbeds across Europe and western Asia, migrating to Africa and South Asia for the winter. Its distinctive plumage, with warm brown tones speckled with pale spots, is captured here with great sensitivity, showing the bird stepping lightly through grassy wetland surroundings. The detail of the engraving highlights the species’ short bill, streaked head, and long toes adapted for walking across soft ground and floating vegetation.
The plate originates from Nederlandsche Vogelen; volgens hunne huisdouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreeven (Amsterdam, 1770–1829), the monumental five-volume work produced over more than fifty years by Cornelis Nozeman, Martinus Houttuyn, and Jan Christiaan Sepp. This was the very first comprehensive ornithological study of the Netherlands and remains one of the most celebrated bird books ever published. Each bird is shown close to life-size and within its natural habitat, blending scientific accuracy with decorative artistry.
The spotted crake’s inclusion reflects both its presence in Dutch wetlands and the growing 18th-century fascination with documenting all native species in unprecedented detail. The accompanying original Dutch text page provides contemporary insight into the bird’s behaviour, migration, status within the natural landscape of the Low Countries, and the Dutch name "klein waterhoen".
Collectors and ornithology enthusiasts prize plates from Nederlandsche Vogelen for their historic value, rich hand-colouring, and role in shaping early ornithological knowledge. This example of the spotted crake is particularly appealing for its composition, which places the bird gracefully among stylised grasses, enhancing its decorative as well as scientific qualities.
Condition: Very good. Clean impression with strong colour. Light toning in margins only, not affecting image. Few tiny edge tears and light handling in wide margins. Text page with minimal toning, two small spots, and two tiny margin holes.
Framing tips: A light cream or pale green mount will harmonise with the wetland setting, while a dark wood or ebonised frame gives the print a refined natural history presentation. For a softer interior look, pair with a gilt frame and ivory mount. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the delicate hand-colouring.
