Items Similar to Lions, Tigers
Spotted Cats — Decorative Natural History Print c.1790
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Lions, Tigers
Spotted Cats — Decorative Natural History Print c.1790
$261.52
£194.65
€220
CA$362.71
A$390.49
CHF 209.11
MX$4,705.22
NOK 2,638.43
SEK 2,414.59
DKK 1,676.81
About the Item
Wild Cats of the World — Hand-Colored Natural History Engraving, Bertuch c.1790
This finely detailed late-18th-century natural history engraving depicts a group of wild quadrupeds, presented as six individual figures arranged across the sheet. The animals include a reclining lion, a standing lioness, a tiger in motion, and several spotted and striped wild cats, each carefully differentiated by posture, coat pattern, and expression. The plate reflects the Enlightenment-era ambition to classify and visually compare animal species through clear, instructive imagery.
The print is titled “Vierf Thiere V / Animalia quadrup. V / Quadruped. V” and was published as plate 8 in volume I of Bilderbuch für Kinder (Picture Book for Children), the celebrated educational encyclopedia edited by Friedrich Justin Bertuch and issued in Weimar between 1790 and 1830. This monumental project comprised twelve volumes with a total of 1,185 hand-colored plates and approximately 6,000 individual engravings, making it one of the most ambitious illustrated educational works of its time.
Bertuch’s Bilderbuch für Kinder was intended not only for children but also for families, teachers, and collectors, presenting knowledge of nature, geography, technology, and culture in a visually engaging and accessible format. The engravings were produced by artists associated with the Princely Free Drawing School in Weimar, ensuring a consistently high artistic and technical standard.
This plate was engraved by Jacob Xaver Schmuzer, after various zoological sources. Schmuzer was a highly respected German engraver, particularly known for his contributions to illustrated natural history works, including Unterhaltungen aus der Naturgeschichte by Gottlieb Tobias Wilhelm. His confident line work and careful modeling are evident here, especially in the rendering of fur texture, musculature, and movement. The original hand coloring adds warmth and clarity, enhancing both the scientific and decorative qualities of the image.
Today, prints from Bertuch’s Bilderbuch are sought after by collectors of natural history, animal imagery, and Enlightenment-era educational material. With its balanced composition and richly detailed animal figures, this engraving also works beautifully as wall art, appealing equally to collectors, interior designers, and admirers of early zoological illustration.
Condition report:
Good condition for its age. Light overall toning and minor handling wear consistent with late-18th-century paper. Original hand coloring well preserved. Please study the image carefully for exact condition.
Framing tips:
A natural wood, light walnut, or simple black frame complements the subject. Use an off-white or light cream mat to highlight the hand coloring and give the figures visual space.
Technique: Etching with original hand coloring on laid paper
Maker: Jacob Xaver Schmuzer after various sources, published by Friedrich Justin Bertuch, Weimar, circa 1790
- Dimensions:Height: 10.44 in (26.5 cm)Width: 8.39 in (21.3 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1790
- Condition:Good condition for its age. Light overall toning and minor handling wear consistent with late-18th-century paper. Original hand coloring well preserved. Please study the image carefully for exact condition.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-14144-11stDibs: LU3054348154032
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,830 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllStriking 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Wild Cats and Predatory Mammals
Located in Langweer, NL
Striking 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Wild Cats and Predatory Mammals from Bertuch
Description: This remarkable hand-colored engraving from Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s *Porte-Fe...
Category
Antique Early 1800s Prints
Materials
Paper
Big Cats
Marsupials Print: Lion, Tiger, Kangaroo – Antique 1867
Located in Langweer, NL
Big Cats & Marsupials Print: Lion, Tiger, Kangaroo – Antique 1867
This striking antique print depicts a variety of big cats, marsupials, and other mammals in detailed hand-coloured ...
Category
Antique 1860s German Prints
Materials
Paper
19th-Century Lithograph of the Long-Striped Tiger and Wild Asian Cat
Located in Langweer, NL
19th-Century Lithograph of the Long-Striped Tiger and Wild Asian Cat
This remarkable 19th-century lithograph showcases two fascinating felines: the long-striped tiger (De langgest...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
Antique Print of Domestic and Wild Cat Species, incl The Civet, 1657
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print of domestic and wild cat species; Felis domestica, Zahme Katz (Domestic cat) - Felis sylvestris, Wilde Katz (Wild Cat) - Felis Zibetti, Zibet Katz (Civet cat) - Genetta...
Category
Antique 1650s Prints
Materials
Paper
$275 Sale Price
20% Off
19th-Century Lithograph of the African and European Wild Cats in Natural Poses
Located in Langweer, NL
19th-Century Lithograph of the African and European Wild Cats in Natural Poses
---
This beautifully detailed 19th-century lithograph features two distinct wild cat species: the Af...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
19th-Century Lithograph of the Majestic Striped or Royal Tiger
Located in Langweer, NL
19th-Century Lithograph of the Majestic Striped or Royal Tiger
This captivating 19th-century lithograph features the striped or royal tiger (De gestreepte of koninklyke Tijger), d...
Category
Antique 1830s Prints
Materials
Paper
You May Also Like
Original Antique Animal Prints, Lions and Tigers, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of Lions and tigers
Unframed.
Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color.
Published, 1847.
The measurement is for 1 print
Free shipping
Category
Antique 1840s English Folk Art Prints
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print of Lions and Tigers, 1847
Unframed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of lions.
Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames.
Lithograph after Cpt. Brown with original hand color.
Pub...
Category
Antique 1840s English Folk Art Prints
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print of Cats, 1847
Unframed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of cats.
Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames.
Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color.
Published,...
Category
Antique 1840s English Folk Art Prints
Materials
Paper
Le Tigre - Etching by Jean Charles Baquoy - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
Le Tigre is an etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771.
It belongs to the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon".
The Artist's signature is engraved lower right.
Good condit...
Category
1770s Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
Karl Joseph Brodtmann Lithographs of Big Cats
Located in New York, NY
Two lithographs depicting a lion and a tiger, by the Swiss engraver Karl Joseph Brodtmann (1787-1862). Originally published in the early 19th Century, these lithographs were printed ...
Category
20th Century Swiss Prints
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
$1,800 / set
L
Ocelot - Etching by Jean Charles Baquoy - 1771
Located in Roma, IT
L'Ocelot is an etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771.
It belongs to the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon".
The Artist's signature is engraved lower right.
Good condit...
Category
1770s Modern Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
