Natural History: Original Trachinus Radiatus Hand-Coloured Fish Engraving

Natural History: Original Trachinus Radiatus Hand-Coloured Fish Engraving

R 1,350.00
Sale price  R 1,350.00 Regular price 
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Natural History: Original Trachinus Radiatus Hand-Coloured Fish Engraving
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Natural History: Original Trachinus Radiatus Hand-Coloured Fish Engraving

There is a profound, quiet elegance in historical marine illustration, an art form that transforms scientific precision into an object of absolute luxury. This particular plate captures the Trachinus radiatus (Starry Weeverfish) with extraordinary life, showcasing the crisp line work of the original 1795 plate. What elevates this piece entirely is the masterfully executed watercolor work; an artisan in Florence physically sat with this cotton sheet, delicately hand-tinting the bold leopard-like spots and washing the jaw and fins with rich, lifelike coral tones. It is an artifact that demands to be studied closely, bridging the gap between raw natural history and premium interior design.

Original Intended Use: Premium residential wall decoration, classical study gallery anchoring, or high-end coastal interior design installations. Alternate Suggested Use: High-impact fireplace mantle styling, luxury dining room feature placement, or sophisticated kitchen shelf grouping when paired with its sister plate.

More Details
  • This premium plate represents a highly prestigious 20th-century artisan printing edition published in Florence, Italy, by the elite fine-art house Edizioni Ponte Vecchio during the late 1980s or 1990s.
  • The engraving is a faithful, luxury restrike after the historical 1795 masterwork Ichthyologie, ou histoire naturelle, générale et particulière des Poissons by the legendary German Jewish naturalist and father of ichthyology, Marcus Elieser Bloch.
  • The lower paper margin displays the original 18th-century master craftsman credentials, noting it was drawn by the artist Werner ("Werner del.") and engraved by the master plate cutter Schmeltz ("Schmeltz sculp.").
Did you Know?

The original illustration for this piece was engraved in Berlin in 1795 by the legendary German naturalist Marcus Elieser Bloch for his absolute holy grail publication Ichthyologie. The physical piece you are holding is a luxury 1990s fine art restrike produced in Florence, Italy, by the prestigious Edizioni Ponte Vecchio. Directly below the plate border, you can feel the double-blind embossed seals—the historical Fleur-de-lis and the artist’s paintbrush hallmark—alongside the collection stamp P.V.4, confirming its original hand-coloured, artisan studio credentials.

Origin & Era

Made in Florence Italy 1990's, making this work of art 36 years old (Physical Paper & Paint).

Dimensions

Approximate Dimensions: Height: 37cm, Length 47cm, Frame Width 2cm.

Vintage Condition

Excellent, uncompromising vintage condition prioritizing total structural transparency. The hand-coloured cotton paper is flawlessly preserved under the glass with zero discoloration or aging. The wide-profile wooden frame shows beautiful, deliberate studio distressing with a terracotta rub-through finish and is structurally rock-solid. The reverse is completely sealed with a heavy-duty gallery cord hanger ready for immediate wall installation.

Price
R 1,350.00
Payment Options

We accept secure direct Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT) with absolute zero transaction fees. Full banking coordinates and reference details will be provided immediately upon checkout.

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