Original hand-colored engraving depicting Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis)
  • Original hand-colored engraving depicting Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis)
  • Three Hummingbirds – Reichenbach Antique Engraving
  • Three Hummingbirds – Reichenbach Antique Engraving
Original hand-colored engraving depicting Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis)
Original hand-colored engraving depicting Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis) Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Ludwig Reichenbach, Antique Print Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Ludwig Reichenbach, Antique Print

Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Ludwig Reichenbach, Antique Print

€375.00
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Original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving by Ludwig Reichenbach, depicting three hummingbirds among pink blossoms. A rare later plate from the Trochilinarum Enumeratio corpus, not fully documented in the principal published index.

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  Authentic antique prints

Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.

Purple-throated Carib and Galeandra Orchid: Caribbean Colour and Victorian Elegance

This original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving depicts the magnificent Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis), one of the most striking hummingbirds of the Caribbean. Published by Ludwig Reichenbach in his celebrated Trochilinarum Enumeratio, the plate combines scientific precision with extraordinary visual impact.

The composition presents two beautifully rendered birds displaying the remarkable colour contrasts that made hummingbirds such a source of fascination for nineteenth-century naturalists. Rich crimson plumage, emerald-green wings and deep sapphire tones create an image of exceptional decorative appeal.

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Visual Analysis

Among the Reichenbach hummingbird engravings, this plate stands out for its dramatic colour palette. The brilliant crimson throat contrasts with vivid green plumage and deep cobalt-blue tail feathers, producing an image that immediately attracts attention while remaining refined and balanced.

The flowering orchid above the principal bird is not merely decorative. Reichenbach associated the species with Galeandra baueri, a tropical orchid whose elegant blossoms contribute significantly to the visual identity of the plate. The dialogue between hummingbird and orchid creates a composition that is simultaneously ornithological and botanical, reinforcing the tropical atmosphere while adding remarkable decorative sophistication.

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About the Species

Eulampis jugularis, commonly known as the Purple-throated Carib, is one of the most celebrated hummingbirds of the Lesser Antilles. Reichenbach recorded the species from Martinique, Guiana and Cayenne, reflecting the nineteenth-century scientific understanding of its distribution.

The species became highly admired among early ornithologists because of its intense iridescent colours and powerful flight. Its combination of elegance, rarity and tropical beauty made it an ideal subject for the great natural history publications of the Victorian era.

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The Botanical Setting

Reichenbach associated this engraving with Galeandra baueri, a tropical orchid recorded in the original index accompanying the plate. The relationship between hummingbirds and orchids fascinated nineteenth-century naturalists, who often documented both together as part of a broader ecological narrative.

The orchid introduces a refined botanical dimension to the composition. Its delicate blossoms complement the iridescent plumage of the birds while helping transform the engraving into a complete natural history scene, where bird and flower belong to the same tropical environment.

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Heritage Stories

This engraving belongs to Ludwig Reichenbach’s remarkable world of hummingbirds, where Victorian scientific curiosity meets extraordinary visual elegance. Explore the story behind Trochilinarum Enumeratio and discover why these original hummingbird engravings remain so compelling today.

Ludwig Reichenbach and the Art of Hummingbirds →

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Condition Report

Very Good to Excellent condition. Original nineteenth-century paper with strong colour, clean margins and a well-preserved impression. Visible plate mark consistent with period intaglio printing. Minor signs of age may be present, fully consistent with authenticity and historical character.

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Details

Species: Eulampis jugularis
Common name: Purple-throated Carib
Work: Trochilinarum Enumeratio
Author: Ludwig Reichenbach
Date: c. 1855–1860
Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
Plate: DCCXCV (795)
Reference number: 4851–52
Associated plant: Galeandra baueri
Inscription: ad naturam (“drawn from life”)
Origin noted by Reichenbach: Martinique, Guiana, Cayenne
Sheet size: approx. 28.5 × 22.5 cm

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