Set of Three Hand-Colored Elephant and Hunting Engravings, India, 1813
€ 1 140
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1813
Mapmaker / artist
Samuel Howitt (1756/57–1822), published by Edward Orme, Bond Street, London, March 1st, 1813
Technique
Hand-colored engraving
Sheet size
34 × 49 cm (13.4 × 19.3 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13212-1, BG-13212-2, BG-13212-4
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
Impressions with original hand-color. General light toning consistent with age, minor foxing in margins, images remain fresh and vivid. Each engraving is professionally mounted in acid-free matting for protection and presentation.
About this sheet
Set of Three Hand-Colored Elephant and Hunting Engravings, India, 1813
A rare and striking set of three fine hand-colored engravings by Samuel Howitt (1756/57–1822), one of the most accomplished English animal and sporting artists of the late 18th and early 19th century. Published in London by Edward Orme on March 1st, 1813, these prints capture vivid scenes of Indian hunting and elephant management during the early colonial period. Please note that we sell the prints, not including a frame.
The set includes the following plates:
1. Shooting Anecdote, India 2 – A dramatic depiction of a tiger hunt from elephant back, with hunters mounted on a richly caparisoned elephant as it engages a tiger in the grasslands. 2. Hindoo Elephant Trap – A lively scene showing the traditional Indian method of capturing wild elephants using large timber stockades, with trained elephants and handlers guiding the operation. 3. Hindoo Method of Taming Elephants – An evocative engraving illustrating the taming process, with an elephant secured within a strong wooden frame while being gradually subdued and trained by its keepers.
Each engraving is finely hand-colored, enhancing the detail and vibrancy of the exotic scenes. Samuel Howitt’s work is notable for its precision, energy, and lifelike rendering of animals in motion, making these prints both artistically and historically significant. Orme’s 1813 publication catered to a growing European fascination with India and its wildlife, especially the elephant, which symbolized both power and exoticism.
Framing tips: These three prints form a natural set and would display beautifully together in matching frames. Wide ivory or cream mounts will highlight the strong colors, while dark wood or gilt frames add classical depth. For a more dramatic presentation, consider grouping them as a triptych on a single wall.
