Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Antique Handcolored Engraving of Beaver and Webbed Appendages, c.1800
£100 ($135, €120)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1800
- Size
- 9.3 × 7.7 in (23.5 × 19.5 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Condition Report: Good condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, the right side more, no text on verso. Colors remain vibrant and well preserved. Please review images carefully.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Artist or book
- Bertuch
- Section
- Mammals
- Reference
- f_42552302
What the condition grades mean
- Excellent
- Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
- Very good
- Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
- Good
- Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
- Fair
- Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Antique Handcolored Engraving of Beaver and Webbed Appendages, Quadruped VIII, c.1800
Description: This original handcolored copperplate engraving illustrates a beaver (*Castor fiber* or *Castor canadensis*) and detailed depictions of its webbed appendages. The plate is part of Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), a celebrated 12-volume encyclopedia published between 1790 and 1830, renowned for its combination of artistic elegance and educational content.
The engraving highlights:
1. A detailed profile of a beaver, showcasing its iconic flattened tail, dense fur, and robust build.
2. Close-up illustrations of its webbed hind foot (Fig. 1) and clawed front paw (Fig. 2), emphasizing adaptations for swimming and building.
This vivid depiction of the beaver’s anatomy and ecological characteristics serves as an excellent example of 19th-century zoological illustration. It is a valuable addition to collections of natural history art, antique prints, or educational materials.
Condition Report: Good condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, no text on verso. Colors remain bright and well preserved. Please review images carefully.
