Items Similar to Two Exotic Birds on Branches, Antique Bird Engraving by Schouman, c. 1760
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Two Exotic Birds on Branches, Antique Bird Engraving by Schouman, c. 1760
$213.02
£159.18
€180
CA$296.62
A$318.75
CHF 171.03
MX$3,754.63
NOK 2,150.46
SEK 1,964.43
DKK 1,372.15
About the Item
Two Exotic Birds on Branches, Antique Bird Engraving by Schouman, c. 1760
Description:
This elegant 18th-century bird engraving depicts two contrasting bird species shown on branching limbs, composed in a balanced and highly decorative vertical arrangement. The upper bird is a kingfisher, identifiable by its compact body, large head, and long straight pointed bill, shown alert and upright as if scanning for prey. The lower bird is a curlew-like wading bird, recognizable by its elongated body and distinctive long, downward-curving bill, depicted in a feeding posture. The pairing highlights both behavioral contrast and anatomical diversity, a hallmark of Enlightenment-era natural history illustration.
The composition is after a drawing by Aert Schouman, one of the most important Dutch bird artists of the 18th century. Schouman was renowned for his detailed and lifelike studies of birds, both European and exotic, and worked closely with collectors, naturalists, and scientific institutions. His work occupies a refined space between art and science, combining observational accuracy with a strong sense of composition and elegance.
The engraving was executed by Johann Tobias Schäffer in Berlin, as noted in the plate imprint. Schäffer was active as an engraver and publisher of scientific imagery, and his precise engraving technique faithfully translates Schouman’s original drawing into a finely textured printed image. The use of figure numbers and plate designation indicates the print’s original function within a scholarly natural history publication.
The restrained monochrome palette, detailed line work, and calm background landscape give the print a timeless quality. The generous margins and clearly visible plate mark enhance its appeal for collectors, while the subject matter and balanced composition make it equally attractive as decorative wall art for both classic and contemporary interiors.
Condition:
Good condition. Light, even age-related toning throughout the sheet. Minor scattered spots and light handling marks, primarily in the margins. The engraved image remains sharp and well-defined. A clear plate mark is visible.
Framing tips:
This engraving presents beautifully in a dark walnut or warm natural wood frame with a soft ivory or off-white mat, emphasizing the sheet’s generous margins and giving it a museum-style appearance. For a more modern interior, a slim black or dark bronze frame with a neutral mat creates a refined, contemporary contrast while preserving the print’s historical character.
Technique: Engraving
Maker: Aert Schouman (after), Netherlands; engraved by Johann Tobias Schäffer, Berlin, circa 1760
- Dimensions:Height: 9.81 in (24.9 cm)Width: 7.33 in (18.6 cm)Depth: 0.02 in (0.5 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1760
- Condition:Good condition. Light, even age-related toning throughout the sheet. Minor scattered spots and light handling marks, primarily in the margins. The engraved image remains sharp and well-defined. A clear plate mark is visible.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-095821stDibs: LU3054310027151
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
2,834 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllAntique Bird Print of Small Birds from Angola
Located in Langweer, NL
Original antique bird print of small birds from Angola. Published by George Edwards circa 1750.
George Edwards FRS (3 April 1694 – 23 July 1773) was an English naturalist and ornit...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
$369 Sale Price
20% Off
Exotic Birds of the World: A 1765-1780 Study by Martinet and Buffon
Located in Langweer, NL
This image is an exquisite hand-colored engraving from the "Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux," a seminal work published between 1765 and 1780. The artist behind this detailed work is F...
Category
Antique 1770s French Prints
Materials
Paper
Diverse Avian Species: An early 18th-Century Ornithological Study, 1811
Located in Langweer, NL
The image is an ornithological print from the early 19th century. It depicts various species of birds perched on branches. The birds are illustrated in vibrant colors with a high lev...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
$274 Sale Price
20% Off
Ornithology Piciformes Plate III - Antique Bird Engraving, 1811
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: "ORNITHOLOGY. Div'n. Land Birds – Order 4 PICE.A. Plate III"
This 19th-century ornithological print, part of a scientific collection, features an array of land birds from the...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century British Prints
Materials
Paper
$274 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Bird Print of Various Birds by Valentijn, 1726
By F. Valentijn
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique bird print titled '49. Korhoen, 47. Flamingos vogel, 48. Kroonvogel, 49. Struysvogel, 50. Ey van de Struysvogel'. This print depicts the black grouse, the flamingo bird, the ...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Charming Vintage Hand-colored Bird Illustrations by Buffon, circa 1780
Located in Langweer, NL
These hand-colored engravings are various bird illustrations published by Buffon.
They are from the work of Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, a renowned French naturalist. T...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
$454 Sale Price / set
20% Off
You May Also Like
Francois Nicholas Martinet Bird Engraving, circa 1770
By François Nicolas Martinet
Located in Downingtown, PA
Francois Nicholas Martinet bird engraving,
circa 1770.
The framed Francois Martinet engraving is from Buffon's Historie Naturelle des Oiseaux displa...
Category
Antique 1770s French Georgian Prints
Materials
Paper
Birds - Etching - 18th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Birds from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an etching on paper realized in the 18th Century.
Signed on the plate.
Good conditions.
The etching belongs to the print sui...
Category
Late 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
Pair of basso-relievo ornithological studies by Isaac Spackman, 1754-69
Located in Kenilworth, IL
During the mid-eighteenth century, Irish artist Samuel Dixon invented and popularized a new painting technique known as basso-relievo, most notably used t...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Paintings
Materials
Paper
19th Century Bird Print - One of 24
By John Gould
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mr John Gould's tropical framed Bird prints 1955 taken from his limited edition of 1000.
The most celebrated British ornithologist of the nineteenth-century
John Gould (1804-1881) ...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Prints
Materials
Glass, Paper
Pair of Old Ornithology Prints
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Pair of old very rare Ornithology prints "History of birds" by Ulisse Aldrovanti - Bologna 1646 - at Nicolao Tebaldipo - engraving with non-contemporany colors.
Category
Antique Mid-17th Century Italian Other Prints
Materials
Paper
$1,041 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century Bird Print - One of 24
By John Gould
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mr John Gould's tropical framed Bird prints 1955 taken from his limited edition of 1000.
The most celebrated British ornithologist of the nineteen...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Prints
Materials
Glass, Paper
More Ways To Browse
Antique Poultry Prints
Jenny H
Engravings Russia
Paradise Bird Print
Achille Comte
Antique Chainmail
Antique Native American Prints
Antique Print Engraving Paris
Butterfly Engraving
Irish Prints Of Ireland
Sandwich Islands
Sea Shell Prints
French Botanical Prints
Funeral Antique
Pair Botanical Prints
Antique Palm Prints
Dutch Navy
Italian 19th Century Engravings













