Engraved Wall Decorations

Title: Portrait of Henry Garnet (1555–1606), Jesuit Priest and Martyr – 17th-Century Copper Engraving This fine copper engraving from around 1670 depicts Henry Garnet, a Jesuit prie...

Title: "Copy of an Old Dutch Drawing: Anthropomorphic Owls Skating in a Winter Scene" Translation of the Text: "KOPY EENER OUDE HOLLANDSCHE TEEKENING" translates to "Copy of an Old...

An original engraving featuring a view of Siam, which is present-day Thailand, specifically a view of the city of Ayutthaya with numerous boats depicted on the river. The title, "Vuë...

A beautiful vintage shadowbox of solid brass hardware. The exceptionally large gourd-shaped door plate is prominently featured, displaying great deta...

Title: Die Kleine Braune und Weiße Ente - Hand-Colored Engraving of the Small Brown and White Duck by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century This elegant hand-colored engraving, titled *Die Kleine Braune und Weiße Ente*, portrays the Small Brown and White Duck (*Anas Canadensis minor fulcus*) resting gracefully on calm waters. This artwork is part of Johann Michael Seligmann’s *Sammlung verschiedener ausländischer und seltener Vögel* (Collection of Various Foreign and Rare Birds), a monumental series that translated the illustrations of renowned naturalists, such as George Edwards, into stunning prints for an 18th-century audience. The plate, numbered "Tab. LII," captures the bird’s fine plumage details, with deep brown tones and subtle white highlights rendered through meticulous hand-coloring. The serene water and minimalistic background enhance the focus on the duck, while the French title, *Le Petit Canard Brun et Blanc*, underscores the historical importance of the engraving as a study of North American avifauna. This piece is ideal for collectors of historical ornithological prints or enthusiasts of 18th-century natural history illustrations. Seligmann’s dedication to scientific accuracy and aesthetic beauty is evident, making this print of the Small Brown and White Duck a delightful addition to any collection of antique bird engravings.

This is an hand-colored copperplate engraving by Robert Benard, part of the *Histoire Naturelle* from the *Encyclopédie Méthodique*, circa 1790. The illustration features four exotic...

Hand-Colored Engravings that were published in the 1819 sixth edition of "Getreue Darstellung und Beschreibung der in der Arzenykunde gebrauchlichen Gewächse" by Friedrich Gottlob Ha...

Title: Die Große Schwarze Ente aus der Hudsons-Bay - Hand-Colored Engraving of the Large Black Duck from Hudson's Bay by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century This striking hand-co...

Original antique map titled 'Westphalia Ducatus'. Fine map of the Duchy of Westphalia, Germany. The map is centered on Meschede and includes Arensberg, Beelick, and Brilon. Published...

Original engraving titled "Saturiova," also known as "Saturione." The artwork was created by Teodoro Viero, an Italian engraver, painter, and publisher born on March 19, 1740, in Bas...

Antique print titled 'Sit ferns exardet in circo tarus aperto, Cum sua terribili petit irritamina cornu'. No. 18 by A. Stradanus depicting a bull fight in Spain. Published in 1576.

Artist unknown for this pair of pineapple paintings from 17th century. Beautifully gilt-framed and matted.

This engraving, titled *Pons Antverpianus Scaldi impositus*, represents the famous ship bridge constructed by the Duke of Parma over the Scheldt River during the Siege of Antwerp in ...

Antique map titled 'Peru'. Original antique map of Peru. With cartouche, compass rose, ships and two sea-monsters. Published by W. Blaeu, circa 1645.

Title: "ORNITHOLOGY. Div'n. Land Birds – Order 4 PICE.A. Plate III" This 19th-century ornithological print, part of a scientific collection, features an array of land birds from the...

This engraving is titled "A View of Monuments, &c. in Easter Island." It depicts a scene from Easter Island (Rapa Nui), focusing on the famous stone monuments, which are likely early...

Artist: Cornelis de Bruijn (or de Bruyn); 1652 – 1726/7 was a Dutch artist and traveler. He made two large tours and published illustrated books with his observations of people, buil...

The Red-Breasted Merganser: Hand-Colored Engraving from the Seligmann Edition after George Edwards’ Natural History This engraving depicts a Red-Breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)...

Tragic Rites of Widowhood: Sati and Burial Customs in India This engraving from Bernard Picart depicts two dramatic and somber rituals associated with widowhood in India: 1. Top Pa...

These illustrations were published in the 1819 sixth edition of "Getreue Darstellung und Beschreibung der in der Arzenykunde gebrauchlichen Gewächse" by Friedrich Gottlob Hayne. This...

This engraving is a hand-colored copperplate print by Robert Benard from the *Histoire Naturelle*, part of the *Encyclopédie Méthodique*, circa 1790. It depicts various species of ge...

The "Delphinus Orca," depicting what is more commonly known today as the orca or killer whale (*Orcinus orca*). This particular image for sale is a beautiful example of early scienti...

Antique print titled ' LA DUCHESSE DE BOURGOGNE' Original antique print of Marie Adélaïde of Savoy, Duchess of Burgundy. Marie Adélaïde of Savoy (6 December 1685 – 12 February 1712) was the wife of Louis...

The print, titled "Various Instruments used by the Natives of Otaheite," was created by the artist John Webber, who is well-known for his work as the official artist on Captain James...

This antique engraving is an illustration from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793, specifically from the section 'Rec...

Antique print titled 'MADAME DE MONTESPAN' Original antique print of Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Marquise of Montespan. Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Marquise of Montespan (5 October 1640 – 27 May 1707) was the most celebrated maîtresse-en-titre of King Louis XIV, by whom she had seven children. Born into one of the oldest noble families of France, the House of Rochechouart, Madame de Montespan was called by some the "true Queen of France"' during her romantic relationship with Louis XIV, due to the pervasiveness of her influence at court during that time.Her so-called "reign" lasted from around 1667, when she first danced...

These hand-colored engravings are various bird illustrations published by Buffon. They are from the work of Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, a renowned French naturalist. These bird illustrations are from his monumental work "Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière" (Natural History, General and Particular), which was published in multiple volumes over several decades in the 18th century. The specific bird prints are from the volumes dedicated to birds ("Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux"). These volumes were published between 1770 and 1783. The precise publication date for each illustration can vary depending on the volume and edition, but the entire series falls within this time frame. Buffon's "Histoire Naturelle" is celebrated for its detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations, which were a significant contribution to ornithology and natural history at the time. Here are detailed descriptions of the birds depicted in each of the three prints: **First Print (Pl. 88):** 1. **Le Héron (The Heron)** - A tall bird with a long neck, a sharp beak, and long legs. The plumage is mostly gray with a lighter chest and dark wings. It stands on a grassy patch. 2. **Le Butor (The Bittern)** - A medium-sized bird with a stout body and a thick neck. The plumage is brown with darker streaks, blending well with marshy surroundings. It stands on a small patch of ground. 3. **Le Secretaire (The Secretary Bird)** - A large bird with an eagle-like body and crane-like legs. It has long tail feathers and distinctive crest feathers on its head. The plumage is a mix of gray, black, and white. It stands on a grassy area. **Second Print (Pl. 105):** 1. **L'Albatros (The Albatross)** - A large seabird with long wings and a stout body. The plumage is white with dark wings. It is depicted floating on water. 2. **Le Cygne (The Swan)** - A graceful bird with a long neck and white plumage. It has an orange beak with a black base and is shown swimming. 3. **Le Pélican (The Pelican)** - A large bird with a long beak and a distinctive throat pouch. The plumage is white with a hint of pink. It stands on a rock near the water. **Third Print (Pl. 96):** 1. **La Spatule (The Spoonbill)** - A bird with a long, flat, spoon-shaped bill. The plumage is white with a slight pink tinge. It stands on a grassy patch. 2. **La Grue (The Crane)** - A tall bird with long legs and neck, mostly gray plumage with black wing tips. It has a red crown on its head and stands on a grassy area. 3. **L'Aigrette (The Egret)** - A slender bird with white plumage, long neck, and black legs. It has delicate plumes on its back and is shown standing near water. These illustrations are characteristic of the detailed and accurate depictions typical of Buffon's work in natural history. These birds are found in various habitats across the world. Here are the typical regions and habitats for each bird: **First Print (Pl. 88):** 1. **Le Héron (The Heron)** - Herons are widely distributed across the world, found in both freshwater and coastal habitats. They are commonly seen in wetlands, marshes, rivers, and along lakeshores. 2. **Le Butor (The Bittern)** - Bitterns are also found in wetlands and marshes, with a preference for dense reed beds. They have a wide distribution, including parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. 3. **Le Secretaire (The Secretary Bird)** - Native to Sub-Saharan Africa, Secretary Birds inhabit open grasslands and savannas. They are terrestrial birds often seen stalking through tall grass in search of prey. **Second Print (Pl. 105):** 1. **L'Albatros (The Albatross)** - Albatrosses are primarily found in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific. They are oceanic...

Fine early plan of Batavia (Jakarta), published by Arnoldus Montanus. This map has a vignette at the bottom showing Jakarta from the sea with the volcanoes Mount Gede, Mount Pangrnago and Mount Salak in the background. The plan is based on the earlier, much larger map of Batavia published by Clement de Jonghe...

This image is an intricate frontispiece from a book by Jacques Barozzi de Vignole, known as Vignola, an influential 16th-century Italian architect who was one of the great architect ...

This engraving is titled "View of Matavia Bay in Otaheite, taken from One Tree Hill, which Tree is a New Species of the Erythrina". It shows a landscape of Matavai Bay on the island ...

A rare engraving titled “IN ADAM OMNES MORIUNTUR” (All die in Adam) by Johann Sadeler after a work by Maerten de Vos, depicting Adam taking the forbidden fruit from Eve. Signed and...

Two species of horseshoe bats, as indicated by the characteristic horseshoe-shaped structure around their noses. This anatomical feature is typical of the horseshoe bat genus (Rhinol...

This engraving is a detailed depiction of a snow leopard, also known as an ounce (Panthera uncia). It shows the animal in a profile view, allowing for a clear observation of its phys...

This original antique image is an historical map by Jacques Nicolas Bellin, depicting the Great Wall of China as it was understood in the mid-18th century. The map includes French ...

Title: Ortolans from Martinet’s *Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux* (1780) The two exquisite prints are from the renowned Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux, part of the monumental natural...

This engraving of the Black Indian Cuckoo is a fine example from George Edwards' ornithological works, part of his A Natural History of Uncommon Birds or Gleanings of Natural History...

These antique engravings are illustrations from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793. These plates are particularly v...

The illustration features two distinct snake species, each labeled in German with their scientific names. Here are the translations and descriptions: Description of Snakes in the Il...

A large 19th Century engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi depicting the decoration on the leg armor worn by a Roman gladiator. The illustration includes masks and emblems of Bacch...

Antique print titled 'De Baadende Juffers Bespied - Les Baigneuses Epiées'. A scene in which several bathing women are spied on by two men hiding in the ...

Antique map titled 'Carte de la Tartarie Occidentale'. Map of Tartary and northeast Asia, from Lake Baykal, Partie du Siberia in the north, Pays des Kalkas at the center, as well as ...

This engraving, titled *Anas Aegyptiaca - L’Oie d’Égypte* (Egyptian Goose), depicts the Egyptian goose, scientifically known as *Alopochen aegyptiaca*. The artist is Nicolas Maréch...

Title: "Veue des Dardanelles de Constantinople, 1693" Description: This historical copper engraving, crafted by Nicholas de Fer between 1646 and 1720 in Paris, is a remarkable depic...

This antique print, titled "Acetosa Hispanica Maxima," depicts the Acetosa plant, commonly known as Sorrel. It belongs to the Plantago or Rumex genus, known for their edible leaves w...

Botanical Engraving of Tithymalus Aiz Arbor from Caspar Commelin’s Work, 1706 This engraving is possibly a botanical illustration from Caspar Commelin's "Praeludia Botanica," publis...

The engraving presented here exhibits two male figures, each bearing a unique expression and hairstyle, likely echoing the artistic style of Raphael's Renaissance works. On the left,...

This original old hand-coloured antique print depicts Sagittaria Sagittifolia, known as "arrowhead." It originates from the botanical work "Naauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen"...

Botanical Engraving of Aloe Afric Erecta from Caspar Commelin's Work, 1706 This engraving is likely a botanical illustration from Caspar Commelin's "Praeludia Botanica," published i...

Antique print titled 'MADAME DE MAINTENON' Original antique print of Françoise d'Aubigné, Madame de Maintenon. Françoise d'Aubigné (27 November ...

Architectural design with the central elements depicted in the engraving: the Baroque design of the pulpit, the inclusion of a Corinthian column which suggests a classical influence, and the presence of a staircase plan indicating the approach to the pulpit. Dating approximately between 1740 and 1760. The artist responsible for this design is Franz Xaver Habermann, and it was published by Johann Georg Hertel I in Augsburg. The design shows a richly decorated pulpit and archway, typical of the Rococo style, which is known for its elaborate ornamentation, asymmetry, and curves. This image is one of four numbered plates related to this work. The detail in the engraving is meticulous, showcasing the elaborate aesthetic that characterized much of the European art and architecture during the mid-18th century. Franz Xaver Habermann (1721–1796) was a German engraver and etcher who was active during the 18th century, a period marked by the Rococo style. Although not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, Habermann contributed significantly to the graphic arts during his time. Habermann's work often featured architectural designs, such as the intricate pulpit depicted in the image you've provided. He was skilled in creating prints that detailed elaborate decorative schemes and architectural fantasies, which were popular during the Rococo period. His creations were known for their intricate details and the fluidity of their lines, capturing the lightness and ornamental excesses that characterized Rococo design. Johann Georg Hertel I, who published Habermann's work, was part of a notable family of engravers and publishers in Augsburg, a city that was an important center for publishing in Europe at the time. The Hertel family played a significant role in disseminating artistic and architectural designs through their publications. While specific details about Habermann’s life and training may not be as well-documented as those of major artists of his time, his surviving works suggest that he was a highly skilled engraver who had mastered the Rococo style, contributing to the spread of this aesthetic through his printed works. His designs would have influenced the tastes of the period, both within Germany and across Europe, where the appetite for such elaborate designs was significant. More in detail about this engraving: This engraving features a detailed representation of a Baroque-style preacher's pulpit, intricately designed and placed upon a Corinthian column, demonstrating the grandeur of religious architecture during the Baroque period. The pulpit is richly adorned with elaborate scrollwork, acanthus leaves, and possibly religious iconography, all common elements in Baroque ecclesiastical design. A significant feature of this print is the inclusion of architectural details such as the Corinthian column base, known for its ornate capital with acanthus leaves and scrolls, which supports the pulpit above. This classical element signifies stability and order, providing a stark contrast to the exuberant decoration of the pulpit itself. To the right of the pulpit, there's a tall, slender window filled with panes that could either be clear or stained glass, framed by an ornate window arch...

African Aloe Botanical Engraving from Caspar Commelin’s "Horti Medici Amstelaedamensis," 1706 This engraving is possibly a botanical illustration from Caspar Commelin's "Praeludia B...

This image showcases two lithographs of primates, drawn by Carel Christiaan Antony Last for Heinrich Rudolf Schinz's *Volledige Natuurlijke Historie der Zoogdieren* (1836). These det...

Antique print titled 'Wapenen van de Nieuw-Zeelanders'. This print depicts various Weapons from New Zealand. Originates from 'Reizen Rondom de Waereld door James Cook (..)'. Translat...

This engraving is a botanical illustration possibly from Caspar Commelin's "Praeludia Botanica," published in 1703. It depicts the Aloe ferox, a species of African aloe, known for it...

This original antique engraving is part of the collection "Recueil de XC Têtes tirées des Sept Cartons des Actes des Apôtres," and showcases two male profiles in a classical style. ...

This engraving by Nicolas Pigné, part of the "Recueil de XC Têtes tirées des Sept Cartons des Actes des Apôtres" collection, shows a stark contrast between two figures. On the left, ...

These two lithographs depict various species of tamarins and lemurs, drawn by Carel Christiaan Antony Last for Heinrich Rudolf Schinz's *Volledige Natuurlijke Historie der Zoogdieren...

This engraving is a hand-colored copperplate print by Robert Benard, part of the *Histoire Naturelle* from the *Encyclopédie Méthodique*, circa 1790. It depicts various species of qu...

Antique print Greece titled 'Rhodus'. Beautiful view of the Island of Rhodes, Greece, depicting the Old Town with fortifications beside a row of w...

Ascetic Practices of Brahmins: Rituals of Penance and Spiritual Authority Information about the Maker and the Work: This engraving is a work by Bernard Picart, created in 1721. Ber...