African Elephant – Antique Wildlife Chromolithograph, Royal Natural History 1894
€ 230
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1894
Mapmaker / artist
After P. J. Smit, London, 1894
Technique
Chromolithograph
Sheet size
17 × 25.5 cm (6.7 × 10.0 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13341-13
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
Very good antique condition. Mild toning to margins and faint age marks, typical for the period. Image remains crisp and well colored.
About this sheet
African Elephant – Antique Wildlife Chromolithograph, Royal Natural History
This powerful chromolithograph depicts an African elephant in a savannah landscape, emphasizing the animal’s mass, texture, and calm authority. The careful modeling of the skin and tusks demonstrates the high technical standards achieved in late-19th-century chromolithography.
Issued in 1894 for The Royal Natural History, this plate was produced to bring authoritative zoological imagery into the Victorian home. The original composition is attributed to P. J. Smit, whose work bridged scientific illustration and fine art.
With its balanced composition and warm earth tones, this print functions equally well as a statement piece on its own or as part of a curated wildlife series.
Condition report: Very good antique condition. Mild toning to margins and faint age marks, typical for the period. Image remains crisp and well colored.
Framing tips: Striking in a dark wood or bronze-toned frame with a wide neutral mat. Works well at larger scale with generous breathing room.
