Four Hand Coloured Engravings Of Seashells

A set of original, hand-coloured folio size shell copper engravings from Nicolo Gualtieri’s ‘Index Testarum Conchyliorum’ (pub. Florence, 1742). Illustrated by Giuseppe Menabuoni (d. 1745) and engraved by Antonio Pazzi (d. 1768).

Menabuoni and Pazzi were both Italian painters, Niccolò Gualtieri was a medical doctor and professor at the University of Pisa, whose hobby was malacology. Menabuoni's plates reproduce specimens of Gualtieri's shells, which were catalogued in Index Testarum Conchyliorum. Today, many of these specimens are in the collection of the ‘Museum of Natural History in Pisa’, operated under the guidance of the University of Pisa.

The engravings reflect the style of 18th-century natural history illustration, where accuracy was paramount, yet there was an undeniable focus on capturing the natural elegance of the subjects. The engravers achieved a harmonious blend of science and art.

These illustrations contributed significantly to the growing interest in natural history during the Enlightenment period and remain a valuable historical and scientific resource today.

It is very unusual to find illustrations of ocean molluscs in this scale from this time period. They are highly sought after and are highly decorative. Mounted in hand-crafted wooden frames (from Italy) with glass, ready to be enjoyed and admired for the next few hundred years.

Dimensions (each framed image):

495mm wide

375mm high