Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Aquatic Elegance: Brittle Star, Zebra Moray Eel, and Blind Cave Eel, 1845
£205 ($270, €240)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1845
- Size
- 10.4 × 6.7 in (26.5 × 17 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Good. Aged paper with typically warm, yellowish-brown hue. Some soiling or light foxing, due to age and handling. Please study the image carefully.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Section
- Fish and shells
- Reference
- f_37855242
The engraving illustrates three marine creatures:
1. **Ophiure serpent de mer** - This is likely an ophiuroid, commonly known as a brittle star. These are echinoderms, related to starfish, with long, slender arms that are distinct from the central disc.
2. **Murène zèbre, a. coupe du corps** - This represents a zebra moray eel, known for its strikingly patterned body and elongated shape. Moray eels are a type of fish with a dorsal fin that extends almost the entire length of the body.
3. **Sphagebranchè aveugle, b. tête vue en dessous** - This could refer to a blind cave eel or a similar species, which are characterized by reduced eyes and pigmentation due to living in darkness.
The print itself is part of a series from the 'Dictionnaire Classique des Sciences Naturelles', which aimed to document and illustrate a variety of species for scientific and educational purposes. The hand-coloring adds detail and realism to the creatures, which would have been particularly important for enhancing understanding at a time when color photography was not available.
