Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Fossil Print of Ichthyosaurus Skeleton and Teeth, c.1850, by Orbigny

About the Item

Fossil Print of Ichthyosaurus Skeleton and Teeth, c.1850, by Orbigny This fascinating fossil plate, titled Reptiles Fossiles Pl. 3, features the skeletal remains and anatomical details of the extinct marine reptile Ichthyosaurus communis. Published around 1850 as part of the Dictionnaire Universel d’Histoire Naturelle, the renowned French natural history encyclopedia edited by Charles Dessalines d'Orbigny, this print offers a rare glimpse into early paleontological studies. The main illustration (figure 1) depicts a full fossilized skeleton of an Ichthyosaurus embedded in sedimentary rock, drawn at approximately one-fifth of life size. This prehistoric marine reptile, which resembled a modern dolphin, lived during the Mesozoic era and was one of the most recognizable marine reptiles of its time. The bones are rendered in fine detail, with the spinal column, ribs, paddled limbs, and elongated skull all clearly defined. Accompanying the full skeleton are several anatomical studies: * Figure 2 shows a close-up of the Ichthyosaurus’s conical teeth at actual size, emphasizing their function for gripping slippery prey such as fish and squid. * Figure 3 illustrates the sternum. * Figure 4 presents a cross-section of two vertebrae joined together, offering insight into the internal structure of the spine. The print was drawn and engraved by Oudart, one of the leading scientific illustrators of the period. Rather than hand coloring, this plate is executed in fine sepia engraving, which was common for paleontological subjects to emphasize structural clarity over decorative color. This plate is a valuable artifact from the early days of vertebrate paleontology and would appeal to collectors of natural history prints, educators, or anyone with a fascination for fossils and prehistoric life. Condition Summary: Light age toning and scattered foxing, mainly in the margins. Image area remains clean and sharply printed. No tears or repairs. A well-preserved and historically significant plate. Framing Tips: Frame in dark walnut or black with a cream or stone-colored mat to highlight the sepia tones. Use archival materials to preserve this antique scientific print. Ideal for display in a study, museum setting, or library wall.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 6.3 in (16 cm)Width: 9.73 in (24.7 cm)Depth: 0.4 in (1 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1850
  • Condition:
    Light age toning and scattered foxing, mainly in the margins. Image area remains clean and sharply printed. No tears or repairs. A well-preserved and historically significant plate.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13584-631stDibs: LU3054345338122

More From This Seller

View All
Frog Print of Mexican Treefrog and Map Frog, c.1850, by Orbigny
Located in Langweer, NL
Frog Print of Mexican Treefrog and Map Frog, c.1850, by Orbigny This charming 19th-century hand-colored engraving, Reptiles Pl. 15, features two distinct frog species: the Mexican T...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

Set of 4 Antique Prints of various Marine Life and Fossils by Heck 'c.1850'
Located in Langweer, NL
Set of four antique prints of various marine life and fossils. These prints originate from 'Bilder-Atlas zum Conversations-Lexikon' by Johann George Heck. Published circa 1850.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of Various Polychaete by Orbigny, 1849
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled '1. Eumolpe peinte 2. Syllis tacheté, 3. Serpule contournée (..)'. Old print of various polychaete. This print originates from 'Dictionnaire universel d'histoire...
Category

Antique 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Paleontology Print of the Jaw and Teeth of a Tinoceras Pugnax by Marsh
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Tinoceras Pugnax'. Original lithograph of the lower jaw and teeth of a Tinoceras Pugnax, an extinct genus of herbivorous mammal. This print originates from volu...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Paleontology Print of the Teeth of a Dinoceras Lucare by Marsh
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Dinoceras Lucare'. Original lithograph of the teeth of a Dinoceras Lucare, a large extinct mammal. This print originates from volume 10 of 'Monographs of the United States Geological Survey...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of Fossils and Other Marine Life by Guérin, c.1829
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled '1. Enerinus asterias 2. Apiocrinites rotundus (..)'. Old print of fossils and other marine life. This print originates from 'Iconographie du règne animal de G. ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

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

Original Antique Print of Tobit And The Angel After Domenichino. C.1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image after Domenichino Fine steel engraving Published circa 1850 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Antique 1850s English Renaissance Prints

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great print of Boston Steel engraving after the original drawing by W.H Bartlett Published circa 1850 Unframed.   
Category

Antique 1850s English Other Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of St Margaret, After Raphael, C.1850
By (after) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image after Raphael Fine Steel engraving. Published C.1850 Unframed.
Category

Antique 1850s English Baroque Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of St Catherine. After Rubens. C.1850
By Peter Paul Rubens
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image after Rubens Fine Steel engraving. Published C.1850 Unframed.
Category

Antique 1850s English Baroque Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of St. Cecilia, After Raphael, C.1850
By (after) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image after Raphael Fine Steel engraving. Published C.1850 Unframed.
Category

Antique 1850s English Baroque Prints

Materials

Paper

Recently Viewed

View All