
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 Civets, Mongooses, and Badgers, c.1800
£120 ($155, €140)
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, especially on the right border. no text on verso. Colors remain well preserved. Please review images carefully.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Artist or book
- Bertuch
- Section
- Mammals
- Reference
- f_42559522
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 Civets, Mongooses, and Badgers, Quadruped XI, c.1800
This original handcolored copperplate engraving depicts a variety of small carnivorous mammals, highlighting their distinct physical traits and ecological adaptations. The plate is sourced from Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), a renowned 12-volume encyclopedia published between 1790 and 1830, celebrated for its artistic and educational value.
The engraving includes:
1. An African civet (*Civettictis civetta*), characterized by its striped and spotted coat (Fig. 1).
2. A small spotted genet (*Genetta genetta*), with a long, striped tail and slender body (Fig. 2).
3. A mongoose (*Herpestes ichneumon*), known for its elongated body and ability to hunt venomous snakes (Fig. 3).
4. A ferret-like mammal, possibly a polecat (*Mustela putorius*), with a lean frame and reddish-brown coat (Fig. 4).
5. A badger (*Meles meles*), showcasing its stocky build and dark coat (Fig. 5).
6. A striped skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*), noted for its bold black and white markings (Fig. 6).
This beautifully detailed engraving is a valuable addition to collections of natural history art, antique prints, or zoological illustrations. It provides a fascinating insight into early representations of small carnivorous mammals.
Condition Report:
Good condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, no text on verso. Colors remain vibrant and well preserved. Please review images carefully.
















