Antique European Bird Framed Handtinted Lithiograph

Found at market, we were captivated by this series of loose handtinted lithiograph pages from famed German naturalist Hermann Schlegel's 1854 book, Fauna van Nederland. 

Schlegel, a renowned ornithologist, herpetologist, and ichthyologist, rose to be the director of the natural history museum in Leiden, Netherlands. At its height, the Leiden museum was one of the top natural history museums in the world with a collection rivaling that of the British Museum. Several species have been named after Schlegel including the crested penguin Eudyptes Schlegeli and Schlegel's adder, Aspidomorphus Schlegelii.

An excellent draftsman, Schlegel or one of his assistants would have committed these drawings to stone as part of the lithiograph process. To produce the images seen in these framed lithiographs, they were then printed and individually hand colored by other artists prior to publication.

Now lovingly cased in vintage frames, each chosen to complement its specific bird image, we are delighted to present three birds of the Netherlands, who are certain to add their charms to any room!

A: "De groot trap" Otis tarda - Great Bustard female

B: "De ortolaan" Embereza hortulana - Ortolan bunting pair

C: "De klein trap" Otis tetrax - Little Bustard male 

Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. Paper mounted in vintage wooden frames. In very good antique condition. A: 8"L x 6"2. B: 9.5"L x 7"W. C: 7.75"L x 6.25"W.