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Mollusk Elegance: Original 19th-Century Scientific Illustrations

About the Item

The collage features a curated selection of marine gastropods and bivalves from the "Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle." Each image is a detailed, hand-colored engraving that exhibits the anatomical features and beauty of mollusks as understood in the 19th century. The illustrations include various species, such as the common limpet, keyhole limpet, giant clam, and chiton, as well as scallops and clams, rendered with scientific precision and artistic flair. Each hand-colored engraving reveals the intricate details and diversity of this fascinating marine group. **Species Details:** - **Patella vulgata**: Common limpet, known for its simple yet sturdy conical shell. - **Fissurella nimbosa**: Keyhole limpet, with a distinct dorsal hole in its shell. - **Calyptraea sinensis**: Chinese hat snail, its shell resembling an inverted cap. - **Pleurotomaria quoyana**: A species of slit snail featuring a characteristic notch or slit on the shell's whorl. - **Dentalium elephantinum**: Tusk shell or "elephant's tusk," a long, tubular shell that burrows into the seabed. - **Chiton squamosus**: A type of chiton with a unique, segmented shell made up of eight plates. **Additional Species in the Other Prints:** - **Lima squamosa**: Scaly file clam with a fan-shaped, ridged shell. - **Spondylus exoctus**: Spiny oyster, adorned with prominent spines on its shell. - **Ostrea folium**: Leaf oyster, named for its leaf-like shell shape. - **Pecten tigris**: Tiger scallop, sporting a striped pattern reminiscent of a tiger's coat. These illustrations not only served as scientific records but also as works of art, capturing the beauty and complexity of marine life. They reflect the rich marine biodiversity and the 19th-century fascination with the natural world.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.65 in (24.5 cm)Width: 6.11 in (15.5 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 3
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1849
  • Condition:
    Good. Some edges a bit rough, but leaving enough space for matting or framing. Some soiling due to handling over almost 200 years, adding to its patina. Colors highlighted with Arabic gum. Study the images carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13718-21 and BG-13718-22 and BG-13718-31stDibs: LU3054338164272
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