Mammals · 18th century
€ 150
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 Wild Canines and Hyenas, Quadruped XV, c.1800
This original handcolored copperplate engraving depicts various wild canines and hyenas, highlighting their anatomical details and natural behaviors. The plate is from Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), a celebrated 12-volume natural history encyclopedia published between 1790 and 1830, valued for its artistic and scientific contributions.
The engraving includes:
1. A striped hyena (*Hyaena hyaena*), depicted with its characteristic mane and robust build (Fig. 1).
2. A spotted hyena (*Crocuta crocuta*), shown scavenging prey, highlighting its strong jaws and hunched posture (Fig. 2).
3. A wolf (*Canis lupus*), mid-action, displaying its predatory agility (Fig. 3).
4. A black jackal or melanistic wild dog, notable for its dark fur (Fig. 4).
5. An arctic fox (*Vulpes lagopus*), characterized by its light coat and bushy tail (Fig. 5).
6. A red fox (*Vulpes vulpes*), recognizable by its slender frame and reddish-brown fur (Fig. 6).
This beautifully detailed engraving captures the diversity and ecological adaptations of these carnivores, making it a valuable addition to collections of natural history art, antique prints, or wildlife illustrations.
Condition Report:
Good condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, no text on verso. Vibrant colors remain well preserved. Please review images carefully.
