Religion · 19th century
€ 90
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
The image is an antique hand-colored steel plate engraving of Dorney Church in Buckinghamshire, England.
It's by Tombleson & Co, a firm known for producing prints in London during the 1830s. This original artwork features a charming country scene with the church as the focal point, surrounded by lush vegetation and a river in the foreground with people and a swan. The borders are ornate with Gothic architectural elements and vignettes, which was a popular style of the time.
This type of print would have been a collectible item during the Victorian era, often sought after for its detailed representation of pastoral and architectural scenes. Collectors today might value it for its historical and aesthetic qualities.
This print is interesting for several reasons:
1. **Historical Significance**: It captures the appearance of Dorney Church and its surroundings in Buckinghamshire during the early 19th century, providing a historical record of the landscape and architecture of the time.
2. **Artistic Merit**: The print is a fine example of hand-colored engravings, a craft that requires a high level of skill both in the initial creation of the plate and in the careful application of color.
3. **Technique**: If it is indeed a steel plate engraving, it represents a significant period in printmaking technology. Steel engravings allowed for finer lines and more detail than earlier copperplate engravings, as well as larger editions.
4. **Aesthetic Appeal**: The combination of architectural and natural elements, along with the human figures and wildlife, creates a picturesque scene that was very much in vogue during the Victorian era.
5. **Collectibility**: Engravings such as this were often collected in the period as souvenirs or for display in homes, reflecting a cultural interest in landscape and architecture.
As for the work from which it comes, it is likely from one of Tombleson's many publications that featured collections of engraved views, such as "Tombleson's Views of the Thames and Medway" or similar works focusing on British landscapes and landmarks.
Identifying the specific engraver can be more challenging. Tombleson & Co. employed various artists and engravers to produce their works. Without a specific signature or attribution on the print, it might require further research into the company's records or a specialist's examination of the style to determine the exact engraver.
