Antique Natural HistoryOriginal plates from the naturalists' books, 1600s to 1900s
Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845
Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, view 2

Close-ups

Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, close-up 1Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, close-up 2Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, close-up 3Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, close-up 4Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, close-up 5

Framed and on the wall

Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, shown framedContrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, shown framed on a wallContrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845, shown framed in a room

Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.

Contrasts in Mammalia: The Brown-Tailed Mongoose and the Brown Hyena, 1845

£270 ($360, €320)

Period original, not a reproduction.

Enquire about this print

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. Please study the image carefully.
Period
Early 19th century
Section
Mammals
Reference
f_37855192

This engraving showcases two distinct animals:

1. **Meilogale Brune** - This is likely the brown-tailed mongoose (Meilogale moschata), recognizable by its elongated body, short legs, and distinctive brown and white facial markings. Its tail is bushy, similar to that of a squirrel.

2. **Hyène Brune** - This refers to the brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea), identifiable by its shaggy brown coat striped with white, and its pointed ears. The brown hyena is known for its strong front shoulders and sloping back, which are accurately depicted in the illustration.

The print is a hand-colored engraving from Drapiez's 'Dictionnaire Classique des Sciences Naturelles', published in 1845. Such prints were essential in the pre-photographic era for the dissemination of zoological knowledge and would have been particularly valuable for educational purposes, offering a realistic portrayal of animals that many people might never have the chance to see in person.