After George Wright Hand-Colored Polo Etchings E.W. Savory Ltd England Publisher

Early 17th century, French hand colored equestrian engraving. After Antoine de Pluvinel (French, 1552-1620), "Henry IV, Mounted", figure 42 from "L'Instruction du Roy en l'Exercice de Monter a Cheval", c. 1625, matted and framed under UF-3 plexiglass (blocks approx. 97% of UV) , gallery label verso. Figures from this publication have sold at Christie's. Those were not hand colored. A highly detailed engraving with the French King Henry 1V the central figure. Mounted on horseback, Le Roy (the King) is watched by no less than 10 courtiers some of whom are mounted on horseback, all of which are named in the engraving. Antoine de Pluvinel (1552, Crest, Dauphine - 24 August 1620) was the first of the French riding masters, and has had great influence on modern dressage. He wrote L’Instruction du Roy en L'exercice de Monter à Cheval ("instruction of the King in the art of riding"), was tutor to King Louis XIII, and is credited with the invention of using two pillars, as well as using shoulder-in to increase suppleness. In 1594, Pluvinel founded the "Academie d'Equitation" near what is now Place des Pyramides. There, the French nobility was trained not only in horsemanship, but also in all the accomplishments (dancing, fashionable dressing, etc.) It can be said that Pluvinel's influence on the aristocracy lasted from the late 16th century to the 17th century. Richelieu, the future Prime Minister of King Louis XIII attended the Academie; so did William, Duke of Cavendish. Pluvinel's book was published posthumously by the Flemish engraver Crispijn van de Passe II and the royal valet de chambre...

18th century German, a hand-colored engraving of a dressage horse and rider from Description du Manège Moderne by Friedrich Wilhelm, Baron Rais d' Eisenberg (German, ca. 1700-ca. 1770). Engraved by Bernard Picart (French, 1673-1733). Titled "Le Brillant", this dressage engraving is plate XXXIII. There is a gallery label verso. The print is matted and framed under UF-3 plexiglass, which offers the maximum amount of UV protection (approx. 97%). This print was originally part of an illustrated book Baron d'Eisenberg made describing the art of the cavaliers and depicting the different breeds of horses- The full title of the book is L'Art de Monter a Cheval: ou Description du Manége Moderne, Dans sa Perfection, published in Leipzig: Arkstée et Merkus, 1747). A set of 7 framed engravings from the same book sold at Sotheby's for $9,500 (plus tax and buyers premium). Reference: The author, a German horseman and artist, spent some of his youth at the manège of Saxe-Weimar before entering into the service of the Emperor. He then spent six years in Naples as the Master of Horse of the Viceroy before returning to Vienna where he studied under M. de Regenthal, the imperial Master of Horse. He participated in the coronation of the Emperor Charles V at Frankfurt in 1711, then spent some time in England, but was back in Germany before 1753. He probably died in Tuscany where he was Director and Master of the Horse at the Academy in Pisa. Brunet II, 957; Mennessier de la Lance I, p. 438. The Baron wrote several important and lavishly illustrated books on horses: his Description du manège moderne dans sa perfection, London 1727, and Dictionnaire des termes du manège moderne, 1747, being the best well-known. He dedicated Description du Manège Moderne to King George II and to his son, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Subscribers to the book included royalty and nobility from all over Europe. The engraver was Bernard Picart, born in Paris in 1673. He gained honors at the Academy of Paris at the age of sixteen. He was a master designer and engraver and worked in Paris and Amsterdam until his death in 1733. Dimensions: 9"h x 12"w (sight), 16.5"h x 19.25"w (frame) Condition: Good, some rippling to sheet, not examined out of frame. Provenance: Lombard Antiquarian Maps & Prints, Cape Elizabeth...

Antique costume print titled 'Dreij Englische Damen'. This print depicts three Ladies from England. Originates from a rare costume book titled 'Sammlung v...

Antique costume print titled 'Kurde (Asie)'. Original antique print of a Kurd. This print originates from 'Moeurs, usages et costumes de tous les peuples du monde' by Auguste Wahlen....