Swordfish VAL49 $225
Each single print measures approximately 10 inches by 16 1/4 inches.

We are very pleased to offer these superb original copper engravings of fishes from Franciscus Valentijn’s en Nieuw Oost Indien. This was an encyclopedic work covering all aspects of the early history of the Dutch East Indies & parts of China, Japan, India, Ceylon & Australia. It is particularly rich in the history of Ambon, where the author lived. To this very day, it provides the most complete record of the early discoveries & life of the times in this far flung empire. There are many maps, views & illustrations of flora & fauna, shells & fish, all beautifully engraved after drawing by the best Dutch artists of the time. These include such artists as F. Ottens, J.C. Philips, J. Goeree, G. Schoute and J. Lamsvelt and M. Balen. The section on shells & sea creatures was based on Rhumphius’s Ambonsche Rariteit-Kamer, in which the plates were drawn by Maria Merian.

Franciscus Valentijn (1666-1727), was a minister of the Dutch Reform church who lived mostly in Amboina during his sixteen years of service with the Dutch East India Company. His drawings of brilliantly colored & wildly improbable fish owe much to the influence of Louis Renard, another Dutchman who published the work Poissons, Ecrevisses et Crabes in 1718. The surreal and imaginative drawings are also strongly reminiscent of the works of Hieronymus Bosch, the Dutch Renaissance painter of the late 1400’s.

We are fortunate to have located a few of these exceedingly rare original copper engravings, as the complete work sells for about $75,000. Additionally, we are privileged to have the most talented English colorist of fish & shell paintings hand color these fish for us in the original style. Each single print measures approximately 10 inches by 16 1/4 inches. The paper is chain lined, with an occasional fleur de lys watermark & still strong. All plate marks are intact. These wonderful prints are riotously colorful, highly decorative, amazing works of art that are among the most beautiful and scarce items we have ever presented.

We accept credit cards, PayPal, checks, and money orders. Washington state residents pay Washington state sales tax. Shipping for this item is $9.95. Items can be combined to save on postage. Our environment is smoke free. We pack professionally using only new materials. All items are beautifully wrapped and suitable for sending directly as gifts. You may return any item within 7 days if not satisfied. To order you may call us at 1-888-PANTEEK or send an email to panteek@aol.com