Exceptional Jablonsky Butterfly Engravings

Set of three original and exceptional hand-coloured copper plate engravings from watermarked laid paper from the exceedingly rare publication Natursystem aller Bekannten in-und Ausländischen Insekten by Carl Gustav Jablonsky (b.1756 - d.1787), published between 1783 and 1804.

Jablonsky was a German naturalist, entomologist and illustrator, he was also private secretary to Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern (b.1715 - d.1797), the Queen of Prussia.

For a more comprehensive insight into Jablonski, please read our blog here.

These engravings are from one of the earliest and most comprehensive catalogues of butterflies and insects. The publication was for made for biologists, as well as for aristocrats interested in learning about the latest discoveries. These engravings are not only scientifically accurate but also aesthetically beautiful with their natural shapes, colours and decorative patterns.

Extremely rare for such large examples of each specimen illustrated from this time period.

These three examples are plate XXX (30) illioneus owl, plate XXI (21) sunset morpho and plate XXIX (29) owl butterfly.

Mounted in hand-crafted wooden frames with glass, this set is exceptional and ready to display.

Dimensions (each framed image):

365mm wide

310mm high