Chinese Landscape with Camel, Rhinoceros and Elephant, Antique Print, 1815

Chinese Landscape with Camel, Rhinoceros and Elephant, Antique Print 1815

Description:

This finely composed early 19th-century hand-colored engraving presents an imaginative Chinese landscape populated with exotic animals, combining natural history with scenic fantasy. In the foreground, a camel stands beside tall reeds, while further into the scene a rhinoceros, smaller animals, and an elephant emerge among lush vegetation and gently rolling terrain. The setting evokes a serene and ordered natural world, framed by water, distant hills, and carefully balanced plant life.

The print was published in 1815 as part of Jules Ferrario’s ambitious encyclopedic work *Le Costume Ancien et Moderne*, issued in Milan. Although best known for its costume plates, the series also included landscapes and contextual scenes intended to situate cultures within their perceived natural environments. This image reflects early 19th-century European conceptions of Asia, blending observation, imagination, and symbolic geography into a harmonious visual narrative.

Executed as a copper engraving with original hand coloring, the composition is rich yet restrained. The palette of soft greens, warm browns, and muted blues creates a calm, decorative effect well suited to interior display. The horizontal format gives the scene a panoramic quality, allowing the eye to move naturally across the animals and landscape, while the refined line work preserves clarity and detail throughout.

As with other plates from this Milan edition, the sheet bears the original embossed blind stamp associated with *Le Costume Ancien et Moderne*. This dry stamp was applied at the time of publication and serves as an important indicator of authenticity. As issued, the embossing may lightly overlap the image area.

The print is offered unframed.

Condition report:

Good antique condition. Light overall age toning with scattered foxing, primarily in the margins. Image remains clean and visually strong with well-preserved original hand coloring. Plate mark visible. Original publisher’s blind stamp present. Minor edge wear consistent with age.

Framing tips:

This wide horizontal scene benefits from a generous cream or off-white mat to emphasize its panoramic character. A dark wood, walnut, or simple black frame works particularly well, enhancing the natural tones and making it suitable for both classic and contemporary interiors.

Technique: Hand-colored copper engraving

Maker: Jules Ferrario, Milan, 1815