Red Lory & Grey-Headed Parakeet (Lorius unicolor) – Antique Hand-Colored Engraving by Pauquet

Red Lory and Grey-Headed Parakeet: Brilliant Contrast in Exotic Ornithology

This original 19th-century hand-colored engraving depicts two exotic parrots, identified on the plate as Lori unicolor and the “Perroquet à tête grise”, drawn and engraved by the Pauquet brothers and published under the direction of Charles Lemaire. The composition belongs to the most decorative strand of natural history illustration, where vivid colour and elegant arrangement are given equal importance.

Executed within the tradition of “Peintes d’Après Nature”, the birds are rendered with remarkable immediacy — their contrasting plumage, poised attitudes and refined placement along the branches transforming the scientific subject into a highly expressive and visually arresting image.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is structured around two diagonally opposed perches, creating a balanced vertical dialogue between the upper and lower birds. This arrangement gives the engraving both clarity and movement, allowing each figure to retain its individual presence while contributing to a unified ornamental whole.

Colour is the defining force of the image. The upper bird presents an intense field of crimson red, softened only by subtle modelling in the engraved plumage, while the lower bird introduces a vivid contrast of grey-blue, emerald green and bright yellow. Together, these tones create an exceptionally rich palette, immediately legible and highly decorative.

The pale foliage acts as a visual counterpoint, lightening the composition and giving the birds space to dominate. Their curved beaks, attentive eyes and poised bodies lend the image a sculptural quality, while the clean background enhances its elegance and graphic strength.

The overall effect is bold yet refined — a composition of strong visual impact that functions beautifully as a focal antique print within an interior.

About the Species

Lories and vividly coloured parrots were among the most admired subjects in 19th-century ornithological illustration. Their luminous plumage and expressive forms made them especially suited to hand-colored engraving, where the richness of tropical coloration could be fully explored.

In European natural history publishing, such species combined zoological curiosity with decorative fascination, embodying both the scientific interest in distant fauna and the enduring appeal of exotic colour.

Condition Report

Very good antique condition. The original hand-coloring remains fresh and vibrant, with strong engraved detail throughout. Printed on fine period paper. The sheet shows light, even age toning and a few scattered marginal spots, consistent with age, while the central image remains bright, crisp and visually very attractive. A particularly decorative impression with strong wall presence.

Details

• Artist: Pauquet brothers (Hippolyte & Polydore Pauquet)
• Publisher: Charles Lemaire
• Subject: Red Lory & Grey-Headed Parakeet (Lorius unicolor)
• Period: 19th century
• Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
• Paper: Fine period paper
• Watermark: None observed
• Sheet size: approx. 23 × 13 cm