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Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Hand-Colored Engraving of the Large White and Black Duck by Seligmann, ca.1770
£480 ($635, €570)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1770
- Size
- 14.6 × 9.8 in (37 × 25 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Vibrant colors, minimal fading. Paper shows light toning and minor foxing. Some handling marks, mostly outside plate-mark, not affecting image quality.
- Period
- 18th century
- Section
- Birds
- Reference
- f_42338222
- Colour
- Hand coloured
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.
Title: Große weiße und schwarze Ente - Hand-Colored Engraving of the Large White and Black Duck by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century
This exquisite hand-colored engraving, *Große weiße und schwarze Ente*, depicts a Large White and Black Duck (*Anas major albus et fuscus cum foemella*), resting gracefully on a rock beside a serene body of water. The background features its female counterpart in flight, adding a dynamic element to this serene composition. This plate, numbered "Tab. XCI," comes from Johann Michael Seligmann’s highly regarded *Sammlung verschiedener ausländischer und seltener Vögel* (Collection of Various Foreign and Rare Birds).
Combining the artistry of Seligmann’s engraving with the scientific precision of George Edwards’ studies, this work is both aesthetically captivating and scientifically significant. The vibrant hand coloring enhances the intricate details of the duck’s plumage, the textured rock, and the surrounding water, providing a vivid glimpse into 18th-century ornithology and artistic techniques.
This print, with its Latin and French annotations (*Le grand canard noir et blanc, avec la femelle*), reflects the international collaboration and widespread appeal of natural history during the Enlightenment. A perfect addition to any collection of antique ornithological works, its timeless beauty and cultural significance make it a treasure for connoisseurs of natural history and fine art alike.
