Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Evolutions of Elegance: A Victorian Trio of British Butterflies, 1890

About the Item

Three original hand-colored plates from the sixth edition of 'A History of British Butterflies' by Morris, which date back to 1890. A closer look at each of the species depicted: 1. **The Swallow Tail (Papilio machaon)**: This butterfly is easily identifiable by its large size, yellow and black striped wings, and distinctive tail-like extensions on the hindwings. The wings also feature blue and red eye-spots near the tails. The Swallow Tail is interesting because it is one of the largest of British butterflies and its caterpillars are equally striking, with black and green stripes punctuated by orange spots. 2. **The Scarce Swallow Tail (Iphiclides podalirius)**: Similar in appearance to the Swallow Tail, this species can be distinguished by its lighter coloration and larger, more prominent blue spots on the hindwings. The forewings also have a more defined black border. It’s considered “scarce” because it’s less commonly found in Britain and is more continental in its distribution. 3. **The Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)**: The Brimstone butterfly has wings that are a pale yellow for males and a more greenish-white for females, which are somewhat leaf-shaped, helping in camouflage. It is one of the longest-lived butterflies, capable of surviving up to a year. It’s notable for being a harbinger of spring, often one of the first butterflies to be seen flying in the new year. Each of these butterflies plays a role in the ecosystem as pollinators. The detailed illustrations provide not only an artistic representation but also a scientific record of the appearance of these species, which is quite invaluable for historical reference and comparison with current populations. The hand-colored aspect of these plates makes them particularly special as they represent a combination of scientific and artistic endeavors from the Victorian era.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.01 in (25.4 cm)Width: 6.82 in (17.3 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1890
  • Condition:
    Condition: Good given age, general age-related toning. Some small spots and some offset on the first page. Please study scan carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13260-1, BG-13260-2, BG-13260-31stDibs: LU3054338945452

More From This Seller

View All
Wings of Elegance: A Victorian Exploration of British Butterfly Splendour, 1890
Located in Langweer, NL
Three original antique hand-coloured prints of Butterflies. They are the Painted Lady, Scarce Painted Lady and Purple Emperor. Here is a more detailed description of each one based...
Category

Antique 1890s Prints

Materials

Paper

Winged Elegance: A Fritillary Collection from Morris's 1890 British Butterflies
Located in Langweer, NL
The butterflies depicted in these plates, the Greasy Fritillary, Glanville Fritillary, and Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, are all members of the Fritillary subgroup, which is part of the...
Category

Antique 1890s Prints

Materials

Paper

Metamorphosis in Motion: A Victorian Glimpse of British Butterflies, 1890
Located in Langweer, NL
The prints are from "A History of British Butterflies" by Morris, which are quite collectible and historically significant. A description of the three butterfly species in these orig...
Category

Antique 1890s Prints

Materials

Paper

Victorian Elegance: A Trio of Ornamental Foliage from 1880 Paris
Located in Langweer, NL
These are three botanical prints from "Les Plantes à Feuillage Coloré: Tome Second," published in Paris in 1880 by J. Rothschild, Editeur. Each print depicts a single plant leaf with...
Category

Antique 1880s Prints

Materials

Paper

Triptych of Lepidoptera Elegance: Hand-Coloured Butterflies Published in 1890
Located in Langweer, NL
Given the historical significance and the artistic presentation of these illustrations, an alternative fitting title for the combined image could be "Vintage Lepidoptera Elegance: Ha...
Category

Antique 1890s Prints

Materials

Paper

British Elegance in Flight: The Hairstreaks and Duke of Burgundy, 1890
Located in Langweer, NL
The butterflies are notable species in British lepidoptery, and here’s a brief overview of each: **Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni):** The Black Hairstreak is a small, elusive bu...
Category

Antique 1890s Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Victorian 19thC. British Lithograph of "Horse Racing" Reverse Glass Matte C.1875
Located in Incline Village, NV
Wonderful polychromed lithograph under glass with reverse glass hand painted gold gilt rectangular double lined border, along with a hand painted black matte; unique; I have not seen...
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Prints

Materials

Glass, Paper

Victorian 19th C. British Lithograph of "the Races" Reverse Glass Matte Ca. 1875
Located in Incline Village, NV
Wonderful polychromed lithograph under glass with reverse glass hand painted gold gilt rectangular double lined border, along with a hand painted black matte; unique; I have not seen...
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Prints

Materials

Glass, Paper

Original Antique Prints of Butterflies, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of butterflies Unframed. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published, 1847. The measurement is for 1 print Free shipping
Category

Antique 1840s English Folk Art Prints

Materials

Paper

A Pair of Bertel Thorvaldsen Roundels, c.1890
By Bertel Thorvaldsen
Located in Savannah, GA
A pair of silver gelatin prints of Bertel Thorvaldsen reliefs in bleached mahogany roundel frames with gilt liner, circa 1890. 24 ¼ by 2 ¼ inches
Category

Antique 1890s Danish Prints

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Hand-Painted Pictures of Flowers and Butterflies
Located in Richmond, London
A set of eight exquisite hand-painted guaches of exotic flowers and butterflies, early 20th century. Why we like them Exquisitely hand-painted ...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Prints

Materials

Paper, Paint

Original Antique Print of Butterflies, C.1850, Unframed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of butterflies. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original color. Publishe...
Category

Antique 1850s English Folk Art Prints

Materials

Paper

Recently Viewed

View All