Rare Tunisian Ram, Antique Hand-Coloured Buffon Engraving 1769

Rare 1769 Tapir Trio – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings from Amsterdam Edition This outstanding three-plate tapir set comes from the 1769 Amsterdam Dutch edition of Buffon’s Histoire...

Antique Buffalo Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769 This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the buffalo, titled Le Buffle, comes from the rare Dutch edition of Buffon’s celebrated Histoire Naturelle, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate XXV in Tome XI, the image was drawn by Jacques de Sève, Buffon’s principal illustrator, and engraved by C.J. Fritsch. The plate is one of the most appealing large mammal portraits in the Buffon series, notable for its expressive character, fine engraving, and warm, atmospheric colouring. The buffalo stands in full profile on a grassy bank beneath a soft blue sky. Its muscular body, thick neck, and distinctive curved horns are rendered with precise cross-hatching, highlighting both strength and powerful form. The shaggy hair around the head and chest is drawn with exceptional sensitivity, giving the animal a lively, alert presence. Behind the buffalo, a distant landscape shows classical buildings, rolling hills, and soft vegetation—an elegant composition typical of de Sève, who often placed his subjects in idealised settings to evoke the exotic nature of these animals for 18th-century European audiences. Hand colouring in the Schneider edition is among the finest of all Buffon printings. The warm browns of the buffalo’s coat...

Rare 1769 Iceland Sheep Pair – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Amsterdam This superb pair of hand-coloured 18th-century engravings of the Icelandic sheep and ram, titled La Brebis d’Islande (Plate XXXII) and Le Bélier d’Islande (Plate XXXI), comes from the 1769 Amsterdam Dutch edition of Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle. These plates are among the most characterful and decorative images in the quadruped series, capturing the distinctive long-haired Icelandic breed with remarkable artistic sensitivity. Drawn by Buffon’s celebrated illustrator Jacques de Sève and engraved with fine precision, each sheet presents an Icelandic sheep in a natural landscape, shown with rustic dwellings, hills, and the atmospheric grey skies of the North. The hand colouring of the Schneider edition is exceptionally appealing: warm chestnut and golden tones in the long wool, contrasted with soft greens and muted earth tones in the foreground. The engraver’s subtle linework in the facial features and horns brings great expression to these hardy northern animals. The ewe, shown in Plate XXXII, stands with a slightly turned head, her long fleece rendered with delicate layered strokes. Small cottages and distant volcanic forms complete the landscape, nodding subtly to Iceland’s rugged environment. The ram, Plate XXXI, is even more striking, with dramatically curled horns and a powerful stance. His expression, posture, and thick coat combine to form one of the most distinctive animals in the Buffon series. Together, the two plates form a natural pair—male and female, complementary compositions, matching landscapes, and identical framing proportions. When hung side by side, they create an elegant and balanced display that combines scientific illustration, pastoral charm, and 18th-century artistry. Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle was one of the most influential natural history works of the Enlightenment, and the Amsterdam edition is particularly prized for its hand colouring and high production values. Icelandic sheep were of special interest to Buffon because of their adaptation to extreme climates, their unusual wool, and their cultural importance. These engravings remain among the earliest widely circulated images of the breed in Europe. Condition report: Very good condition for age. Clean sheets with wide margins and strong plate marks. Minor age toning and occasional small foxing spots, mostly in the margins. Hand colouring bright and well preserved. No tears, repairs, or stains affecting the image. Framing tips: Frame the pair together for maximum visual impact. Use warm cream or pale grey matting to complement the wool tones. Natural oak, walnut, or light gilt frames work beautifully with the earthy palette. Floating the sheets also highlights the generous margins and plate marks. Keywords: Iceland sheep engraving Buffon 1769 Amsterdam Jacques de Sève hand coloured natural history La Brebis d’Islande Le Bélier d’Islande antique farm animal prints...

Rare 1769 Barbary Sheep Engraving – Hand-Coloured Buffon Amsterdam Edition This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving, titled Le Mouton de Barbarie (Plate XXXVIII from Tome ...