Mammals · 18th century
€ 160
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition Report : Good condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, especially on the right border. no text on verso. Colors remain well preserved. Please review images carefully.
Antique Handcolored Engraving of Lemurs and Flying Mammals, Quadruped XIX, c.1800
This original handcolored copperplate engraving features various lemurs, bats, and flying mammals, illustrating their distinct anatomical features and postures. The plate is sourced from Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), a celebrated 12-volume encyclopedia published between 1790 and 1830, admired for its scientific accuracy and artistic elegance.
The engraving includes:
1. A bat species, likely a fruit bat or flying fox (*Pteropus*), depicted with spread wings to emphasize its wing membrane (Fig. 1).
2. A crowned lemur (*Eulemur coronatus*), shown perched on a rock (Fig. 2).
3. A ring-tailed lemur (*Lemur catta*), holding a basket of fruit, highlighting its striped tail (Fig. 3).
4. A black lemur (*Eulemur macaco*), depicted with dark fur and holding a fruit (Fig. 4).
5. A black-and-white ruffed lemur (*Varecia variegata*), with its characteristic patterned coat (Fig. 5).
6. Another ring-tailed lemur, shown with fruit and its iconic long, striped tail (Fig. 6).
7. A sportive lemur (*Lepilemur*), highlighted with agile movement (Fig. 7).
8. A colugo or flying lemur (*Cynocephalus volans*), displayed with its patagium (wing membrane) fully extended (Fig. 8).
This detailed engraving showcases the diversity of these primates and flying mammals, making it a valuable addition to collections of natural history illustrations, antique prints, or zoological art.
Condition Report:
Good condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, no text on verso. Colors remain vivid and well preserved. Please review images carefully.
