Snake Print of Elephant Trunk Snake and Sea Krait, c.1850, Orbigny
€ 190
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1850
Sheet size
24.7 × 16 cm (9.7 × 6.3 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13584-53
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
Good condition with minor foxing around edges, consistent with age. Strong plate impression and fine hand coloring. A beautifully preserved example of 19th-century zoological illustration.
About this sheet
Snake Print of Elephant Trunk Snake and Sea Krait, c.1850, Orbigny
This finely detailed 19th-century zoological print, titled Reptiles Pl. II, presents two exotic snake species: the Acrochordus javanicus (Elephant Trunk Snake) and the Platurus fasciatus (now known as Laticauda colubrina, or the Colubrine Sea Krait). Created for Charles Dessalines d’Orbigny’s monumental natural history work Dictionnaire Universel d’Histoire Naturelle, this print exemplifies the artistic and scientific ambitions of mid-19th century French naturalism.
The upper illustration (fig. 1) shows the Elephant Trunk Snake, native to Southeast Asia, characterized by its loose, wrinkled skin and aquatic lifestyle. It is depicted coiled near a tropical riverbank, highlighting the textured scales that inspired its common name. Below it (fig. 2), the strikingly banded Sea Krait is illustrated in vivid alternating bands of black and cobalt blue. This venomous sea snake, found in the warm coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific, is accurately rendered in a coastal setting, emphasizing its amphibious nature.
The plate is a fine example of hand-colored engraving, combining delicate black linework with subtle, precise hand-applied coloring. Drawn by Oudart and engraved by Forget, this piece was produced under the supervision of Orbigny, one of the key figures in French zoological documentation of the era.
This print not only captures the visual beauty of these reptiles but also reflects the 19th-century fascination with cataloging the natural world. It is ideal for collectors of scientific illustration, antique herpetology prints, or natural history decor.
Condition Summary: Good condition with minor foxing around edges, consistent with age. Strong plate impression and fine hand coloring. A beautifully preserved example of 19th-century zoological illustration.
Framing Tips: Frame in natural wood or ebony for a museum look. Use a pale ivory or warm white mat to contrast the bold colors of the snakes. A UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the delicate hand coloring.
