Items Similar to Exploring the Stalactite Caverns near Slains: A Natural Wonder of Scotland, 1798
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Exploring the Stalactite Caverns near Slains: A Natural Wonder of Scotland, 1798
$208.76
$260.9520% Off
£155.64
£194.5520% Off
€176
€22020% Off
CA$286.70
CA$358.3720% Off
A$320.87
A$401.0920% Off
CHF 167.54
CHF 209.4320% Off
MX$3,914.62
MX$4,893.2720% Off
NOK 2,126.75
NOK 2,658.4320% Off
SEK 2,018.15
SEK 2,522.6920% Off
DKK 1,340.57
DKK 1,675.7120% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
A hand-colored copperplate engraving depicting a cavern of stalactites near Slains in Scotland. This illustration is part of Friedrich Johann Bertuch's "Bilderbuch für Kinder" (Picture Book for Children), published in 1798. Bertuch, a German publisher and art enthusiast, is renowned for his 12-volume encyclopedia for children, which included 1,200 engraved plates on topics such as natural history, science, costume, and mythology, published from 1790 to 1830.
The engraving features the interior of a large cavern, where stalactites hang from the ceiling like natural chandeliers. The cave's grandeur is emphasized by the size of the stalactites and the overall spaciousness of the cavern. Two figures, likely explorers or visitors, are shown in the foreground. Their presence provides a sense of scale, highlighting the massive size of the stalactites and the awe-inspiring nature of the cavern. The scene captures the sense of wonder and discovery associated with exploring natural caves, emphasizing the beauty and mystery of the underground world.
History of the Cavern near Slains
Slains, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is historically associated with Slains Castle, a ruined castle that overlooks the North Sea. The region is known for its dramatic coastal scenery, including cliffs, caves, and rocky formations. The specific cavern depicted in the illustration may refer to one of the many natural sea caves or inland caves found in this part of Scotland.
The depiction of stalactites indicates a limestone cave, as stalactites form from the deposition of calcium carbonate from dripping water over long periods. Such formations are typically found in karst landscapes, which are characterized by limestone bedrock. The cavern near Slains would have been an attraction for those interested in natural history and geology during the time Bertuch's book was published.
Current State
Today, the area around Slains, particularly the ruins of Slains Castle, is a popular destination for tourists and explorers, although it is better known for its dramatic sea views and literary connections (Bram Stoker is said to have drawn inspiration from Slains Castle for "Dracula"). The natural caves and coastal formations continue to attract visitors, although specific references to a cavern of stalactites near Slains are less common in modern guides, suggesting that either the cave may not be accessible or has been overshadowed by other natural attractions in the area.
About the Original Work
"Bilderbuch für Kinder" was a significant publication that provided educational content to children using detailed and artistically rendered illustrations. Bertuch's work was innovative for its time, blending art and science to create a visually appealing and informative resource. The depiction of natural wonders such as caverns and caves in the book reflects the 18th and 19th-century fascination with exploration and the natural world, aiming to inspire curiosity and knowledge in young readers.
- Dimensions:Height: 9.97 in (25.3 cm)Width: 7.96 in (20.2 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:1790-1799
- Date of Manufacture:1798
- Condition:Condition: good, given age. Light foxing and general age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Original hand-coloring. Please study scan carefully.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13825-311stDibs: LU3054341251872
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,492 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllStunning 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Cave Interiors from Bertuch’s Work
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Stunning 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Cave Interiors from Bertuch’s Work
Description: This dramatic hand-colored engraving is from Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s *Porte-Feui...
Category
Antique Early 1800s Prints
Materials
Paper
Subterranean Marvels: Stalactites and Stalagmites in Limestone Caves, Engraving
Located in Langweer, NL
This hand-coloured copperplate engraving from Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), published in Weimar in 1805, offers a stunning depiction...
Category
Antique Early 1800s Prints
Materials
Paper
Engraving of the Cave Where the First Giant Prehistoric Reptile was found, 1798
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: 1798 Engraving of Cave Entrance Where Maastricht Mosasaur was Discovered
Description: This 1798 copperplate engraving with original hand-coloring is from Volume III of Johann...
Category
Antique 1790s Prints
Materials
Paper
Fingal's Cave: Nature's Cathedral on the Isle of Staffa in Scotland, 1790
Located in Langweer, NL
The image depicts Fingal's Cave, a famous sea cave located on the uninhabited island of Staffa, part of the Inner Hebrides in Scotland. This colored engraving is from the "Bilderbuch...
Category
Antique 1790s Prints
Materials
Paper
$132 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Print of the Marble Cave of Antiparos by Tirion, c.1760
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print Greece titled 'Marmere Grot op het Eiland Antiparos'. Old print depicting the Marble Cave of Antiparos, an island in the island grou...
Category
Antique 18th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
$103 Sale Price
20% Off
Original Antique Engraving of the Cave of Saint-Leu in France, C.1785
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Vue étant vers la droitte dans l'intérieur de la Grotte de St. Leu'. Copper engraving showing the cave, park and garden of Saint-Leu. This print originates from...
Category
Antique 18th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
You May Also Like
French Neoclassic Engraving, Vue de La Caverne du Dragon, early 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The hand colored engraving by Descourtis depicting a true cave in the Orange region of France with curious admirers with a dog and a soldier, in a period walnut and ebonized frame
Category
Antique Early 1800s French Neoclassical Prints
Materials
Walnut
Cave of Santa Rosalia near Palermo - Lithograph - 1862
Located in Roma, IT
Cave of Santa Rosalia near Palermo is an original lithograph realized in 1862.
Good conditions.
The artwork belongs to the Suite Uses and customs of all the peoples of the universe...
Category
1840s Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Grotto View of Capri
Located in New York, NY
Grotto view of Capri. Gold-framed French watercolor views of Capri entitled, "Grotto a Capri - Le 24 Octobre 1846,"
Dimensions: Sight: 12.5" W x 9" H; overall 18.5" W x 14.5" H.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Romantic Paintings
Materials
Paper, Giltwood, Paint
$3,500
Die Fingals - Höhle - Original Lithograph - Mid 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Die Fingals - Höhle is an original modern artwork realized in Germany in the Mid-19th Century.
Original B/W Lithograph on Ivory Paper.
Inscripted on the lower central margin in Ca...
Category
Mid-19th Century Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Mid 19th Century Watercolour - In the Cave
Located in Corsham, GB
A charming watercolour painting with gouache and gum arabic details, depicting a landscape scene with two figures and livestock in a cave. Well-presented in a washline card mount and...
Category
19th Century Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor
$301 Sale Price
20% Off
Uses and Customs - Sibyl's Cave in Cuma - Lithograph - 1862
Located in Roma, IT
Uses and Customs - Sibyl's Cave in Cuma is a lithograph on paper realized in 1862.
The artwork belongs to the Suite Uses and customs of all the peoples of the universe: " History of...
Category
1860s Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Lithograph
More Ways To Browse
Antique Rice Box
Antique Shagreen Box
Antique Shell Vanity
Antique Wrought Iron Brackets
Art Deco Skyscraper Shade
Art Deco Uranium Glass
Art Nouveau Tea Pot
Asian Style Furniture Burl
Atelier Hugo
Baby Rattle
Benin Bronze
Black Forest Eagle
Bleached Mahogany Chest
Bombe Box
Brass Pheasant
Brass Pineapples
Bronze Crocodile Sculpture
Bronze Jester