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Western Rosella Chromolithograph. Edward Lear

Name: Western Rosella Chromolithograph. Edward Lear
SKU: as1081a167
Price: 165.00 GBP
Availability: SoldOut

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The Birds of Australia was a book written by John Gould and published in seven volumes between 1840 and 1848, with a supplement of other birds published between 1851 and 1869. It was the first comprehensive survey of the birds of Australia and included descriptions of 681 species, 328 of which were new to Western science and were first described by Gould. Gould and his wife Elizabeth née Coxen travelled to Australia from England in 1838 to prepare the book. They spent a little under two years collecting specimens for the book. John travelled widely and made extensive collections of Australian birds and other fauna. Elizabeth, who had illustrated several of his earlier works, made hundreds of drawings from specimens for publication in The Birds of Australia. The plates of the book were produced by lithography. Elizabeth produced 84 plates before she died in 1841, Edward Lear produced one, Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins contributed one and the remaining 595 plates were produced by H. C. Richter from Elizabeth's drawings and were published under his name. The accompanying letterpress descriptions of the birds are authored by John Gould and were printed by the firm R. & J. E. Taylor. Gould created 250 copies of his survey and today they realise in excess of £200,000 GBP at auction. In addition to this tome, Gould also studied Exotic birds from Europe and the Americas (Birds of Guinea and Birds of Paradise).

Here we are delighted to offer a wonderful 'Platycercus Icterotis' Chromolithograph. The western rosella, or moyadong, is a species of parrot endemic to southern Western Australia. The head and underparts are bright red, and the back is mottled black a yellow patch at the cheek. Their communication call is a softly delivered pink-pink sound, and much of their behaviour is comparatively unobtrusive. Their habitat is in eucalypt forests and woodlands, where they often remain unobserved until they appear to feed on seeds at nearby cleared areas. Individuals form mating pairs and generally remain in one locality, although they will venture out to join small groups at plentiful sources of food. The western rosella is predominantly herbivorous, its diet consisting mostly of seeds of grasses and other plants, although nectar and insect larvae are sometimes eaten. They are more placid and sociable than rosellas of other Australian regions from which they are geographically isolated and have become internationally popular as an aviary bird. Their history in aviculture begins with two 1830 lithographs of live specimens in England by Edward Lear. The chromolithograph was printed by hand in 1954 by K.G. Lohse of Frankfurt, made using the same lithographer's stones (plate) commissioned by Gould. This plate features layers of printing and is near identical to those produced with Gould's oversight, with deep glossy tones, rich textures, details are absolutely astonishing.

The lithograph is mounted in a luxury handmade, hand-finished and wonderfully gilded hammered wooden frame with a confidently proportioned decorated mount. A fine gold fillet has been added as a very sophisticated contrast for the plate. The frame is renaissance gold (the main face features thick foil incorporating real gold) and with good light this piece just glows, with a wonderful, deep and warm gold tone (even our professional photographs can't adequately capture the beautiful frame colour). The glass is museum quality with low reflection, amazing colour transparency and high U.V. absorption to protect the works. The archival acid-free materials and professional techniques used to protect and frame this work will ensure that it continues to be enjoyed for many decades to come.

The framed lithograph measures a substantial 64cm tall by 54cm wide.

The work can be shipped, at cost, within the UK or Internationally.

Price

£~~165.00~~

$~~212.36~~ USA

€~~199.44~~

The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 11/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.

Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art > Antique Lithographs Date 1954 1950s Antiques Material Paper Origin English Item code as1081a167 Status Sold

SellerGreystones Fine Interiors

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Greystones Fine Interiors

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Cambridgeshire

Tel : 07425 298868

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Western Rosella Chromolithograph. Edward Lear

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