Narwhal, Manatee and Friends, Exquisite Early 19th Century Watercolor soapstone narwahl My delight was audible finding

My delight was audible finding this one--though it took a moment before I realized there is not just one boy but two of them poking their heads out from behind this pair of young priests

made all the more special by those two beautifully long fingered hands reaching together at the top of that "wring" to complete the form of a heart--with flowers to either side in the negative space giving the appearance of eyes

There is a long tradition of Isleta red ware

Hinges are in very good condition

In terrific antique condition

Narwhal, Manatee and Friends, Exquisite Early 19th Century Watercolor soapstone narwahl My delight was audible findingI went back to my source in Germany to scoop up another handful of these gorgeous c. 1840s zoological watercolors, having sold the last several I had quickly. This is not a hand colored engraving, it is an original, gorgeously executed ink and watercolor drawing, c. 1840s. Whether made in advance of, or after, an engraving for a zoological volume I am not certain whatever the case, quite marvelous and with the fine execution amplifying a sense of