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Antique Print of a Breton Cow, a French Cattle Breed from Brittany, 1862
£280 ($370, €330)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1862
- Size
- 13.9 × 18.8 in (35.3 × 47.8 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Condition report: Strong, clear impression with excellent tonal shading. Wide margins preserved. Some minor age toning and faint foxing in the outer margins, well away from the image. Overall very good condition.
- Period
- Late 19th century
- Section
- Mammals
- Reference
- f_27258532
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 Zoological Print, Breton Cow, French Cattle Illustration, 1862
This elegant lithograph, titled Vache Bretonne (Breton Cow), presents a fine example of the Breton cattle breed, native to the Brittany region of France. The cow is depicted standing prominently in the foreground of an open pasture, with additional cattle grazing in the distance. The artist has carefully captured the animal’s proportions, musculature, and natural stance, emphasizing both its strength and its adaptability to the rugged Breton landscape.
Executed by A. Riffaut and published by Lemercier in Paris in 1862, this plate formed part of a larger agricultural series that documented French livestock breeds. These lithographs were intended not only for aesthetic appreciation but also for practical use in agricultural science, exhibitions, and breeding programs, reflecting the 19th-century drive to catalog and improve domestic animal stocks.
The Breton cow was historically admired for its hardiness and versatility. It played an essential role in the agricultural life of Brittany, valued for both milk and draught purposes. The image highlights the balance of elegance and utility that made the breed a cornerstone of rural life in western France.
Condition report: Strong, clear impression with excellent tonal shading. Wide margins preserved. Some minor age toning and faint foxing in the outer margins, well away from the image. Overall very good condition.
Framing tips: A dark wood or walnut frame paired with a cream or soft gray mat will emphasize the tonal contrasts of the lithograph. For a more rustic presentation, an oak frame with a textured mat can complement the agricultural subject and enhance its 19th-century character.
Technique: Lithograph
Maker: Drawn by C. Trayon, lithographed by A. Riffaut, Imprimerie Lemercier, Paris, 1862
