Antique Handcolored Engraving of Sheep and Rams, c.1800

Antique Handcolored Engraving of Sheep and Rams, Quadruped XXXII, c.1800

This original handcolored copperplate engraving depicts various breeds of sheep and rams, highlighting their unique physical characteristics and adaptations. The plate is from Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), a 12-volume natural history encyclopedia published between 1790 and 1830, celebrated for its educational and artistic contributions to zoology.

The engraving includes:

1. A ram with curled horns, possibly a Mouflon (*Ovis orientalis*), depicted resting (Fig. 1).

2. A long-haired goat or primitive sheep breed, such as the Jacob sheep, characterized by its multiple horns (Fig. 2).

3. A domestic sheep breed, shown standing and with shorn wool, indicating agricultural significance (Fig. 3).

4. A woolly sheep, likely representing an early breed used for wool production (Fig. 4).

5. A slender sheep breed with less pronounced wool, highlighting regional variations (Fig. 5).

6. A horned sheep lying down, displaying its distinct horn configuration (Fig. 6).

7. A rear view of a sheep, emphasizing anatomical details for identification (Fig. 7).

This engraving is a valuable addition to collections of natural history art, antique prints, or illustrations of domesticated animals.

Condition Report : Good condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, no text on verso. Colors remain well preserved, but paper has a brownish hue. Please review images carefully.