{"product_id":"francois-levaillant-le-montagnard-lesser-kestrel-antique-18th-century-hand-coloured-engraving","title":"François Levaillant Le Montagnard Lesser Kestrel Antique 18th Century Hand Coloured Engraving","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn impressive and genuinely early ornithological engraving titled \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Le Montagnard”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, depicting the Lesser Kestrel, after the work of renowned French explorer and ornithologist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrançois Levaillant (1753–1824)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDating to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elate 18th century, circa 1796–1799\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this beautifully detailed colour engraving comes from Levaillant’s important ornithological publications documenting African birdlife.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe previously concealed margins reveal the original plate information and artist\/engraver inscriptions, including the names associated with the production of the engraving. These details had been hidden beneath the inner frame and provide particularly useful confirmation of the piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bird is depicted perched upon a rocky outcrop with exceptionally fine feather detail and rich period colouring, with the original French title \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLe Montagnard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e beneath.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximate size: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e29 cm x 23.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an antique piece of considerable age and consequently displays \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eage-related toning, marks, foxing and general surface wear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The engraving has also been \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elaid\/adhered onto an old backing board\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which is now fragile and deteriorating in places. Please study all photographs carefully as these form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite its condition, this remains a striking and highly decorative \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18th-century ornithological work\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with strong appeal to collectors of antique natural history prints, bird art, ornithology and early French engravings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#FrancoisLevaillant #AntiqueEngraving #Ornithology #BirdArt #LesserKestrel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Country Cottage Collectables ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57045428863316,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1066\/2464\/7508\/files\/IMG-4209.heic?v=1788635196","url":"https:\/\/countrycottagecollectables.uk\/products\/francois-levaillant-le-montagnard-lesser-kestrel-antique-18th-century-hand-coloured-engraving","provider":"Country Cottage Collectables  ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}