Exquisite 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Mollusks and Slugs from Bertuch’s Work
€ 110
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1805
Sheet size
23 × 19 cm (9.1 × 7.5 in)
Reference
BG-14000-22
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
Light toning with minor foxing along the edges; a few brown spots but the hand-coloring remains vivid and beautifully executed over 200 years ago. Please review the images for further condition details.
About this sheet
This beautifully hand-colored engraving is from Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s Porte-Feuille des Enfants (Children's Portfolio), published in 1805. It showcases a variety of mollusks and gastropods, highlighting their unique shells and body structures with incredible precision and artistry.
The engraving features: - Fig. 1: A detailed depiction of a slug, emphasizing its soft, elongated body and distinct head structure. - Fig. 2: A land snail with a spiral shell, shown both with and without the body, illustrating its anatomy. - Fig. 3: A freshwater clam or bivalve shell, meticulously rendered to capture its ribbed texture. - Fig. 4: A garden slug with a streamlined body, showcasing its adaptability and terrestrial lifestyle. - Fig. 5, 6, 7: Various marine snails, each adorned with distinctive spiral and patterned shells, showcasing the diversity of gastropods.
This engraving reflects the Enlightenment fascination with the natural world, blending scientific observation with artistic beauty. It is an ideal piece for collectors of antique natural history prints, mollusk enthusiasts, or those interested in early zoological illustrations.
