Antique Handcolored Engraving of Civets, Mongooses, and Badgers, Quadruped XI, c.1800
This original handcolored copperplate engraving depicts a variety of small carnivorous mammals, highlighting their distinct physical traits and ecological adaptations. The plate is sourced from Friedrich Johann Bertuch’s *Bilderbuch für Kinder* (Picture Book for Children), a renowned 12-volume encyclopedia published between 1790 and 1830, celebrated for its artistic and educational value.
The engraving includes: 1. An African civet (*Civettictis civetta*), characterized by its striped and spotted coat (Fig. 1). 2. A small spotted genet (*Genetta genetta*), with a long, striped tail and slender body (Fig. 2). 3. A mongoose (*Herpestes ichneumon*), known for its elongated body and ability to hunt venomous snakes (Fig. 3). 4. A ferret-like mammal, possibly a polecat (*Mustela putorius*), with a lean frame and reddish-brown coat (Fig. 4). 5. A badger (*Meles meles*), showcasing its stocky build and dark coat (Fig. 5). 6. A striped skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*), noted for its bold black and white markings (Fig. 6).
This beautifully detailed engraving is a valuable addition to collections of natural history art, antique prints, or zoological illustrations. It provides a fascinating insight into early representations of small carnivorous mammals.
Condition Report: Good condition. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, no text on verso. Colors remain vibrant 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.