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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.
White Stork, Large 18th Century Ornithology Print by Sepp & Nozeman, 1789
£1,860 ($2,460, €2,200)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1789
- Size
- 21.1 × 14.6 in (53.5 × 37 cm)
- Technique
- Engraved
- Condition
- Good. Very good condition. Strong plate impression with generous margins. Light general toning consistent with age and a few scattered pale foxing spots, mostly outside the image area. Colouring remains clean and naturalistic. Original text page included.
- Period
- 18th century
- Artist or book
- Nozeman and Sepp
- Section
- Birds
- Reference
- f_10868591
- 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.
White Stork Antique Dutch Bird Print by Sepp and Nozeman, 18th Century
This elegant hand-colored copper engraving titled 'Ardea Ciconia' presents the white stork (*Ciconia ciconia*), one of the most iconic and revered birds in Europe. The image captures the full-length stork in profile, standing upright on one long red leg with its slender red beak pointed forward. Above the bird is a separate inset detail of an egg, depicted suspended within a delicate draped cloth, a hallmark of the *Nederlandsche Vogelen* series' attention to avian reproduction and natural history. The stork’s crisp white plumage is subtly contrasted by its deep black wing feathers, which are shaded with remarkable precision.
The plate originates from Nederlandsche Vogelen, an ambitious and monumental ornithological series published in parts in Amsterdam between 1770 and 1829. It was the first comprehensive study of birdlife in the Netherlands and is widely regarded as a pinnacle of 18th-century scientific illustration. The series was authored by Cornelis Nozeman and Martinus Houttuyn, with illustrations engraved and hand-colored by the Sepp family, especially Christiaan Andreas Sepp and Jan Christiaan Sepp. Their work is renowned for blending naturalistic observation with graceful artistic execution, producing prints that are both scientifically accurate and aesthetically refined.
The white stork is a migratory species that breeds across Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia, wintering far to the south in sub-Saharan Africa or the Indian subcontinent. Known for its impressive size, graceful flight, and strong association with folklore, it has long been a symbol of renewal, good fortune, and familial devotion. In this print, its composed stance and detailed form are representative of the Enlightenment's fascination with cataloging and understanding the natural world.
Collectors of antique natural history prints will appreciate this work for its clarity, artistry, and historical importance. The life-sized presentation and inclusion of the egg detail make this a rare and valuable depiction of one of Europe’s most admired birds.
Condition report
Very good condition. Strong plate impression with generous margins. Light general toning consistent with age and a few scattered pale foxing spots, mostly outside the image area. Colouring remains clean and naturalistic. No tears, repairs, or major flaws.
Framing suggestion
Frame with a soft ivory or pale grey mount to complement the stork’s plumage and background tones. A classic black, dark walnut, or weathered wood frame adds contrast while keeping with the style of 18th-century scientific prints. Museum-quality materials including UV-resistant glass and acid-free backing are recommended to preserve the print’s integrity. Perfect as a focal point in a nature-themed interior or a historical study wall.
