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Antique Hand-Coloured Bird Engravings from Goldsmith’s Animated Nature, ca.1852
€230 ($260, £195, €230)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1852
- Size
- 14.6 × 10.8 in (37 × 27.5 cm)
- Technique
- Engraved
- Condition
- Very good for age. Light toning to the paper, occasional faint fox marks, and strong plate impression. Colours remain bright and fresh. Comes with matting board.
- Period
- Late 19th century
- Artist or book
- Goldsmith
- Section
- Birds
- Reference
- f_20283002
Various Bird Species, Hand-Coloured Engraving from Goldsmith’s Animated Nature, c.1852
This finely detailed and delicately hand-coloured engraving depicts a lively grouping of bird species, presented with the naturalistic charm typical of mid-19th-century ornithological illustration. The composition features several distinctive species, including a resplendent peacock with its iridescent train partially displayed, a scarlet ibis with its unmistakable curved bill, a cockatoo with an expressive yellow crest, and a pair of exotic pheasants. Also present are smaller passerine birds, including a kingfisher with brilliant blue plumage and a goldfinch perched lightly on a branch.
The print originates from A History of the Earth and Animated Nature by Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774), a monumental work first published in 1774 and reissued in numerous illustrated editions well into the Victorian era. This particular example was published by A. Fullarton & Co., Glasgow and London, circa 1852, during a period when the fascination with natural history reached a broad audience. Fullarton’s editions are notable for their richly hand-coloured engravings, produced to both educate and delight readers.
The engraver has captured each bird’s form and plumage with precision, while the colourist has applied vivid yet natural tones that bring the scene to life. The variety of species shown reflects the Victorian appetite for the exotic, with subjects drawn from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. These images not only documented nature for an audience eager to learn but also celebrated the decorative potential of the natural world.
Condition: Very good for age. Light toning to the paper, occasional faint fox marks, and strong plate impression. Colours remain bright and fresh. Comes with matting board.
Framing tips: A warm ivory mount with a gilt or dark wood frame will complement the hand-colouring, while a slightly wider mat will give each bird space to be appreciated individually.
Technique: Hand-coloured steel engraving
Maker: Published by A. Fullarton & Co. after Oliver Goldsmith, c.1852
