Mammals · 19th century
€ 140
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
for age. Light toning to sheet, scattered minor fox marks, and minimal handling wear. Image clean. Strong impression with rich detail and wide margins.
The Muzzle Dog – Antique Engraving of a Belgian Mastiff by A.H. Payne after Lorenz, Leipzig & Dresden, c.1850
This mid-19th-century engraving, titled in German Das Maulthuhnwerk (“The Muzzle Dog”), depicts a powerful Belgian Mastiff harnessed to a small cart, standing beside a large water bowl. The dog’s head is fitted with a leather muzzle, and its expressive eyes convey both strength and restraint. Behind the animal, the cart is laden with woven baskets, one containing vegetables, suggesting a market delivery scene typical of continental European towns during the period.
The Belgian Mastiff (or Chien de Trait Belge) was a strong, broad-chested, short-coated working breed used extensively in Belgium, the Netherlands, and parts of Germany in the 18th and 19th centuries for pulling carts laden with goods. Now extinct, these dogs were prized for their endurance, calm temperament, and reliability in navigating busy market streets—often wearing muzzles as a safety measure.
The composition was drawn by Lorenz and engraved by A.H. Payne, a prominent Leipzig and Dresden engraver and publisher known for his finely detailed steel engravings in both artistic and illustrated book formats. Payne’s skill is evident in the precise cross-hatching, the realistic rendering of textures from wicker to leather, and the subtle gradation of light and shadow that gives the scene depth and atmosphere.
Printed on fine wove paper with generous margins, this impression retains its crispness and clarity, making it an appealing piece for collectors of canine art, working animal imagery, or 19th-century European engravings.
Condition: Good for age. Light toning to sheet, scattered minor fox marks, and minimal handling wear. Strong impression with rich detail and wide margins.
Framing tips: A warm off-white mount with a mid-tone wood or ebonised frame will complement the engraving’s tonal range and highlight the intricate detail of the scene.
Technique: Steel engraving
Maker: A.H. Payne after Lorenz, Leipzig & Dresden, c.1850
