Set of 4 18th-Century Kip & Knyff Hand-Colored Country House Engravings - Framed

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An exceptional set of four authentic 18th-century hand-colored copperplate engravings by the celebrated Dutch printmakers Johannes Kip and Leonard Knyff, … Read more An exceptional set of four authentic 18th-century hand-colored copperplate engravings by the celebrated Dutch printmakers Johannes Kip and Leonard Knyff, originally created for the monumental publication Britannia Illustrata, first issued in London in the early 1700s. These sweeping bird’s-eye estate views represent some of the finest examples of British topographical engraving produced during the late Baroque and early Georgian periods.

Executed with extraordinary architectural precision, the engravings document a transformative moment in English country house culture, when formal gardens, grand manor homes, and geometric landscape design became powerful symbols of aristocratic status. Leonard Knyff traveled throughout the English countryside, sketching estates from elevated, idealized perspectives, while Johannes Kip translated those drawings into intricately engraved copperplates of remarkable clarity and detail.

This curated collection includes:
1. Westwood in Worcestershire (Seat of Sir John Pakington, Bart).
2. Esher Place in the County of Surrey (Seat of Thomas Cotton, Esq.)
3. Hampton Court in Herefordshire (Seat of Thomas, Lord Coningesby)
4. Coley, near Reading in the County of Berks (Seat of Tanfield Vachell, Esq.)

Each composition captures the grandeur of early 18th-century estate planning with manicured parterres, tree-lined avenues, ornamental water features, orchards, and formal gardens rendered in meticulous detail. Hand-colored family coats of arms and estate dedications appear prominently along the lower margins, further enhancing their historical and decorative significance.

Presented in matching antique-gilt frames with hand-inked French mats, the set offers a unified architectural presentation with substantial wall presence. The engravings retain beautiful hand-coloring with gentle, age-appropriate toning consistent with authentic 18th-century works on paper. Both historically important and visually striking.

Artist: Johannes Kip & Leonard Knyff
Period: 18th Century - Circa 1760s
Medium: Hand-Colored Copperplate Engravings
Origin: London, England

DIMENSIONS:
Each: 24 inches x 29 inches (including frame), & 1.5 inches deep. See less