Xaviero Manetti, Ornithologia, 1800s, Engraving & Paper, Set of 6

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Produced in Florence, Italy, between 1767 and 1776, this rare set of six parrot studies by Italian naturalist Xaviero Manetti … Read more Produced in Florence, Italy, between 1767 and 1776, this rare set of six parrot studies by Italian naturalist Xaviero Manetti comes from his publication Ornithologia and reflects the Enlightenment tradition of natural history illustration. The works were created as copper engravings and then carefully hand-colored, a labor-intensive process that enhances plumage detail, tonal nuance, and the vivid character of each bird while preserving the precision of the engraved line.

Conceived at a time when European scientific culture and collecting interests were closely linked, these sheets combine careful observation with an elegant, display-ready composition, making them equally suited to a library, study, or curated interior. The set is offered with auction provenance: Doyle, New York, Important English and Continental Furniture and Decorations, 15 October 2014, Lot 502. I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
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