Bilder George Sowerby (1788–1854) – Cardium Shell Varieties – Hand-coloured etching (1825)

Beskrivning

"Cardium" illustrates several species of cockles, displaying the heart-shaped profile and prominent radial ribbing characteristic of the Cardiidae family. The central figures highlight the heavy, symmetrical valves of species like the prickly cockle, while adjacent views show internal colorations and the distinct interlocking "teeth" of the shell margins. This hand-coloured etching is from the work The Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells, published in London between 1821 and 1834. The series is celebrated in the field of malacology for its meticulous attention to detail and the high quality of its hand-applied color, which served as a primary reference for nineteenth-century shell collectors and natural historians.

George Brettingham Sowerby I was a prominent British naturalist, illustrator, and conchologist. He was a member of a famous family of scientists and artists who dominated natural history illustration in Britain for over a century. Together with his brother James de Carle Sowerby, he produced several definitive catalogs of mollusks, blending scientific taxonomy with exceptional artistic skill. Sowerby's contributions were instrumental in the categorization of both contemporary and fossilized species, and his publishing house became a global center for the dissemination of conchological knowledge.

Artist or Maker: George Sowerby.

Dimensions: Approximately 21 cm x 14 cm.

Medium: Hand-coloured etching.

Date: 1825.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.