Original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving depicting the Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis), one of the most spectacular Caribbean hummingbirds illustrated in Ludwig Reichenbach’s Trochilinarum Enumeratio.
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Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
This original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving depicts Rham's Brilliant (Heliodoxa rhami), one of the richly coloured hummingbirds illustrated by Ludwig Reichenbach in his celebrated Trochilinarum Enumeratio. The plate combines scientific precision with a highly decorative tropical composition.
Two hummingbirds are shown around a large white orchid, their ruby throats, sapphire-blue breasts and emerald-green plumage creating an image of exceptional chromatic richness. The contrast between the birds and the pale botanical subject gives the engraving a refined, luminous presence.
Among Reichenbach’s hummingbird engravings, this plate stands out for its dramatic balance between jewel-like colour and botanical elegance. The large orchid acts almost as a stage for the birds, while the red, blue and green tones create a vivid yet harmonious visual rhythm.
The composition is especially effective as decorative natural history art: refined, legible and rich in colour without feeling crowded. Its combination of tropical bird life and orchid imagery makes it particularly suitable for studies, libraries, refined living rooms and curated gallery walls.
Heliodoxa rhami, commonly known as Rham's Brilliant, was recorded by Reichenbach from Mexico. The species belongs to a group of hummingbirds admired for their luminous plumage and powerful colour contrasts, qualities that made them especially attractive to nineteenth-century ornithologists and illustrators.
In this engraving, Reichenbach pairs the birds with Brassavola digbyana, a striking orchid whose pale flower amplifies the brilliance of the hummingbirds. The result is a refined example of Victorian natural history illustration, where scientific observation and decorative beauty work together.
Reichenbach associated this plate with Brassavola digbyana Lindl., a highly distinctive orchid whose large pale flower becomes one of the visual anchors of the composition. Its sculptural form gives the engraving an almost theatrical structure, framing the hummingbirds and intensifying the contrast with their ruby, sapphire and emerald tones.
The botanical element is therefore not a secondary ornament, but an essential part of the plate’s natural history language. Bird and orchid are presented together as a complete tropical scene, reflecting the close relationship between hummingbirds and the nectar-bearing flowers that shaped their ecology and fascinated nineteenth-century observers.
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.
Very Good condition. Original nineteenth-century paper with strong hand-colouring, generous margins and a well-preserved impression. Visible plate mark consistent with period intaglio printing. Minor age-related marks may be present, fully consistent with authenticity and historical character.
Species: Heliodoxa rhami
Common name: Rham's Brilliant
Work: Trochilinarum Enumeratio
Author: Ludwig Reichenbach
Date: c. 1855–1860
Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
Plate: DCCXLVI (746)
Reference number: 4712–13
Inscription: ad naturam (“drawn from life”)
Associated plant: Brassavola digbyana Lindl.
Origin noted by Reichenbach: Mexico
Sheet size: approx. 28.5 × 22.5 cm
Specific References
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.
An elegant original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting Ramond's Hummingbird among the scarlet blossoms of Lemoinea spectabilis. A beautifully balanced composition celebrating the harmony between hummingbirds and tropical flowers.
An exceptionally decorative nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving depicting the Crimson Topaz (Topaza pyra), one of the most spectacular hummingbirds of the Amazon Basin. Published by Ludwig Reichenbach in Trochilinarum Enumeratio, the composition combines vibrant colour, remarkable movement and a rarely encountered nesting scene.
An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting Eriocnemis simplex among flowering passionflowers and cactus blossoms. A remarkable natural history engraving celebrating the extraordinary botanical diversity of hummingbird habitats.
An exceptional original hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, portraying hummingbirds during the nesting season. Featuring a beautifully woven nest, delicate blue flowers and vibrant emerald plumage, this rare nineteenth-century composition combines ornithological observation with remarkable decorative elegance.
Original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving depicting the Blue-headed Sabrewing (Saepiopterus lazulus), a tropical hummingbird illustrated by Ludwig Reichenbach in his celebrated Trochilinarum Enumeratio.
An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting Lesbia victoriae among spectacular tropical blossoms. A refined natural history composition celebrating the remarkable partnership between hummingbirds and flowering plants.
An exceptional original hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting the magnificent Crimson Topaz (Topaza pyra) beside its beautifully woven nest. One of the rarest behavioural studies in nineteenth-century ornithological illustration, combining scientific observation with remarkable decorative elegance.
An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting Bourcieria prunellii among the vibrant blossoms of Achimenes picta. A refined composition balancing quiet observation and graceful flight in one of the most elegant plates of the series.
An exceptional original hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting five brilliant hummingbirds feeding among scarlet tropical flowers. Featuring Esmeralda, Euchloris and Maculicollis, this dynamic nineteenth-century composition beautifully combines botanical richness with the elegance of Victorian ornithological illustration.
Original 19th-century hummingbird engraving depicting Cuvier’s Sabrewing (*Campylopterus cuvierii*), published by Ludwig Reichenbach for *Trochilinarum Enumeratio*. A refined composition marked *ad naturam* — drawn from life — combining scientific observation with remarkable decorative elegance.
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.
An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting Mango Hummingbirds feeding among elegant tropical blossoms. This refined composition celebrates the remarkable evolutionary relationship between hummingbirds and the flowers they pollinate.
Original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving depicting Coeligena sagittata and the hummingbird identified by Reichenbach as Warszewiczii (later associated with Helianthea iris Gould). A visually striking composition featuring emerald plumage, warm copper tones and two botanical species from Northern Peru.
An original hand-colored engraving depicting Lucian's Puffleg (Eriocnemis luciani), one of the most distinctive high-Andean hummingbirds illustrated by Ludwig Reichenbach in Trochilinarum Enumeratio (c. 1855–1860). Drawn ad naturam ("from life"), the composition captures the remarkable white feather tufts that give pufflegs their name, together with brilliant emerald plumage and delicate yellow blossoms. Combining Victorian scientific precision with refined decorative elegance, this authentic nineteenth-century engraving remains both an important ornithological document and a striking work of natural history art.
Original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from the rare Sylphae section associated with Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio. Plate 821 depicts two brilliantly coloured hummingbirds among delicate white blossoms.