Illustrated Bivalve Shells from 'Dictionnaire Classique des Sciences Naturelles'
€ 110
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Sheet size
26.5 × 17 cm (10.4 × 6.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13261-151, BG-13261-158
Condition
Good. Moderate offsetting and soiling. Few browns spot due to aging and handling. Aged papers with typically warm, yellowish-brown hue. Some edges rough, but leaving space for framing. Please study the image carefully.
About this sheet
These two original antique prints are hand-colored engravings of various bivalve mollusks, which are a type of shellfish with a compressed body enclosed within a hinged shell. These specific illustrations are from the 'Dictionnaire Classique des Sciences Naturelles' by Pierre Auguste Joseph Drapiez, published in 1845.
Here are descriptions of the shells as labeled in the engravings:
From the first image: 1. **Donax bec de Flûte**: This shell has an oblong, slightly triangular shape with a pattern of fine, concentric lines and a color gradient from dark blue or black at the hinge, lightening to a sandy hue at the edges. 2. **Donax des Canards**: A similar shape to the first, but more elongated and with a more pronounced 'beak.' It has a simple, pale coloration with a delicate, pointed outline. 3. **Capsa du Brésil**: A broad, rounded shell with subdued brown and tan coloration and broad, radiating bands. 4. **Telline Soleillevant**: A colorful shell with a sunburst pattern in shades of pink, orange, and yellow emanating from the hinge area.
From the second image: 1. **Cyclade cornée**: This shell is nearly circular with a slightly irregular edge and has a pattern of concentric rings in shades of gray and white. 2. **Cyclade de Ceylan**: A similar circular shape, but with a pronounced ridge running from the hinge to the opposite edge and a delicate pattern of lines and ridges. 3. **Galathée à rayons**: With a bold striped pattern of yellow and brown radiating from the hinge, this shell has a rounded, triangular shape. 4. **Crassatelle sillonée**: A shell with a deep, rich red color and a fluted pattern resembling a wide, shallow fan. 5. **Mactre lisoir**: This shell has a checkered pattern of brown and white, with a distinctive angular outline. 6. **Onguline transverse**: It has a rounded shape with a fine, ribbed texture and a pale coloration. 7. **Erycine cardoide**: A heart-shaped shell with a delicate, grid-like pattern and a translucent quality.
