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Ceylon Hornbill (Tockus gingalensis) – Original Antique Bird Print by Keulemans
€345.00
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Original nineteenth-century bird print depicting the elegant Ceylon Hornbill (Tockus gingalensis), illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon. This refined ornithological lithograph combines scientific precision with sculptural decorative appeal, featuring the species’ remarkable ivory-coloured bill and poised tropical composition.
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Authentic antique prints
Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
Ceylon Hornbill: Sculptural Elegance and Exotic Presence in Victorian Bird Art
This original nineteenth-century bird print depicts the remarkable Ceylon Hornbill (Tockus gingalensis), illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon, published in the late nineteenth century.
One of Sri Lanka’s most distinctive tropical birds, the hornbill is rendered here with exceptional compositional balance — combining scientific precision with a refined decorative quality shaped by the extraordinary form of its characteristic ivory-coloured bill.
— • —
Visual and Aesthetic Analysis
The composition is immediately defined by the dramatic silhouette of the dominant bird, whose elongated tail and imposing curved beak create a striking architectural presence within the image. The restrained black, ivory and soft grey palette lends the engraving unusual sophistication and visual calm.
Keulemans carefully balances scale and movement through the inclusion of a second bird positioned lower in the composition, introducing narrative depth while reinforcing the natural behaviour of the species. The diagonal branch structure guides the eye organically across the plate, while soft tropical foliage creates atmosphere without overwhelming the principal forms.
Unlike more brightly coloured ornithological plates, the strength of this composition lies in its sculptural clarity. The contrast between the elegant ivory bill, red eye and dark plumage creates a restrained yet highly memorable visual language.
The result is an engraving of exceptional decorative refinement — particularly suited for collectors of exotic natural history or interiors seeking understated but intellectually rich visual impact.
About the Ceylon Hornbill
The Ceylon Hornbill (Tockus gingalensis) is an endemic bird of Sri Lanka, recognised for its distinctive oversized bill, elongated tail and striking profile. Hornbills have long fascinated naturalists for their unusual anatomy and strong symbolic presence within tropical ecosystems.
During the nineteenth century, species such as this became celebrated subjects of ornithological exploration, representing the fascination of European science with the biodiversity of distant islands and tropical habitats.
Heritage Stories
This engraving belongs to Birds of Ceylon, William Vincent Legge’s important ornithological study of Sri Lankan birdlife, illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans, widely regarded as one of the defining masters of nineteenth-century ornithological illustration.
The precision of Keulemans’ draughtsmanship is particularly evident here, where anatomical accuracy and compositional restraint combine to elevate a scientific image into an object of lasting decorative beauty.
Discover more about the artist: Johannes Gerardus Keulemans — Precision and Passion in Ornithological Illustration .
Browse the complete collection: Keulemans – Birds of Ceylon Collection .
For readers wishing to better understand antique prints — from technique and paper to collecting criteria — explore our guide: Antique Prints Guide .
Condition Report
Very good to excellent antique condition. An exceptionally fresh and crisp impression, retaining beautifully preserved original colouring and a remarkably bright, clean appearance. Printed on fine nineteenth-century paper with generous margins. No watermark observed. Minor signs of age may be present, consistent with the period, but the plate remains unusually well preserved and visually compelling.
Details
- Author: William Vincent Legge
- Work: Birds of Ceylon
- Artist: Johannes Gerardus Keulemans
- Artist credit: “J.G. Keulemans lith.” present in the plate
- Printer: “Hanhart imp.” present in the plate
- Species: Ceylon Hornbill (Tockus gingalensis)
- Date: Late 19th century
- Technique: Original nineteenth-century lithograph with refined original hand-colouring
- Paper: Original nineteenth-century paper
- Watermark: None observed
- Dimensions: approx. 38 × 28 cm (sheet)
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