Reptiles & Amphibians · 18th century
€ 90
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Fair condition. Age-related toning, edge wear and brownish hue, no text on verso. Colors remain vibrant and well preserved. Please review images carefully.
Antique Handcolored Engraving of Turtles and Tortoises, Amphibien XXXVII, c.1800
This original handcolored copperplate engraving depicts a variety of turtles and tortoises, highlighting their distinctive shells, body shapes, and habitats. 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, admired for its educational and artistic value.
The engraving includes:
1. A land tortoise (*Testudo spp.*), depicted with its domed shell and robust limbs (Fig. 1).
2. A pond turtle (*Emys spp.*), with a flatter shell adapted for aquatic environments (Fig. 2).
3. A colorful box turtle (*Terrapene spp.*), noted for its intricate shell pattern (Fig. 3).
4. A softshell turtle (*Apalone spp.*), characterized by its leathery carapace (Fig. 4).
5. A snapping turtle (*Chelydra serpentina*), shown with its rugged shell and powerful jaws (Fig. 5).
6. A view of a turtle's plastron (underside), detailing the intricate pattern (Fig. 6).
7. A side-necked turtle (*Chelidae*), with its elongated neck and unique defensive posture (Fig. 7).
This engraving captures the diversity and adaptations of these fascinating reptiles, making it a valuable addition to collections of natural history art, antique prints, or herpetological studies.
Condition Report
Fair condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, and some visible text bleed-through from verso. Colors remain vivid and well preserved. Please review images carefully.
