Antique Handcolored Engraving of Carnivorous Mammals, Quadruped X, c.1800
This original handcolored copperplate engraving illustrates a variety of carnivorous mammals, showcasing their diverse anatomies and natural behaviors. The plate is from Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), a renowned 12-volume encyclopedia published between 1790 and 1830, valued for its blend of artistic beauty and scientific accuracy.
The engraving includes: 1. A wolf (*Canis lupus*), depicted feeding on prey (Fig. 1). 2. A black bear (*Ursus americanus*), shown climbing a tree trunk (Fig. 2). 3. A polar bear (*Ursus maritimus*), standing on a rocky outcrop (Fig. 3). 4. A wildcat (*Felis silvestris*), walking on grass (Fig. 4). 5. A civet (*Civettictis civetta*), notable for its striped coat (Fig. 5). 6. A wolverine (*Gulo gulo*), shown on rocky terrain (Fig. 6).
This vivid engraving highlights the distinct traits and ecological niches of these species, making it an excellent addition to collections of natural history art, antique prints, or zoological illustrations.
Condition Report : Good condition. Age-related toning, minor edge wear, no text on verso. Colors are bright and well preserved. Please review images carefully.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.