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An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting Chrysuronia eliciae among the tropical blossoms of Pitcairnia exscapa. A richly composed Victorian natural history plate celebrating hummingbirds, botanical diversity and the living complexity of tropical ecosystems.
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Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
This richly composed original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio depicts Chrysuronia eliciae, associated by Reichenbach with Brazil. The plate presents four hummingbirds within two distinct botanical settings, creating one of the most dynamic and visually varied compositions of the series.
Rather than focusing on a single floral motif, Reichenbach builds the engraving as a dialogue between different tropical plants, colours and feeding behaviours. The result is a vivid celebration of biodiversity, where hummingbirds and flowers appear as inseparable parts of a living ecosystem.
The engraving is arranged almost like two scenes within one plate. In the upper section, two hummingbirds interact with an exotic yellow-orange blossom, while the lower portion introduces a second floral world with brilliant red tubular flowers. This vertical division gives the composition exceptional rhythm and variety.
Emerald greens, deep blues, warm oranges and vivid reds are distributed with remarkable balance across the sheet. The four birds guide the eye from one botanical setting to the other, creating a sense of movement that is both scientific and decorative. It is one of the plates where Reichenbach's ability to unite natural observation and artistic composition is especially evident.
This plate depicts Chrysuronia eliciae, a hummingbird recorded by Reichenbach in association with Brazil. The species is presented through multiple figures, allowing the viewer to observe different positions, plumage effects and feeding attitudes within a single composition.
Reichenbach associated Chrysuronia eliciae with Pitcairnia exscapa Hook., a tropical bromeliad whose tubular flowers are especially suited to nectar-feeding birds. The engraving beautifully expresses the ecological relationship between hummingbirds and specialised flowering plants, while the additional botanical elements enrich the plate as a celebration of tropical diversity.
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 and a clear plate mark. Minor age-related signs may be present, entirely consistent with authenticity and the historical character of the work.
Species: Chrysuronia eliciae (Bourcier & Mulsant, 1846)
Common name: Elicia's Hummingbird
Work: Trochilinarum Enumeratio
Author: Ludwig Reichenbach
Date: c. 1855–1860
Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
Plate: DCCXXII (722)
Reference numbers: 4644–45
Inscription: ad naturam (“drawn from life”)
Associated plant: Pitcairnia exscapa Hook.
Origin noted by Reichenbach: Brazil
Sheet size: approx. 28.5 × 22.5 cm
Specific References
Original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving depicting the Jamaican Mango (Anthracothorax mango), a striking tropical hummingbird illustrated by Ludwig Reichenbach in his celebrated Trochilinarum Enumeratio.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting Coeligena ourissia among the elegant blossoms of Bignonia picta. Four hummingbirds create one of the most harmonious and visually refined compositions in the celebrated Victorian series.
An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting brilliantly iridescent hummingbirds feeding among Stachytarpheta and Cleome blossoms. A refined composition celebrating the extraordinary colours and botanical relationships of tropical hummingbirds.
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 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.
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.
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.
Original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving depicting Victoria's Trainbearer (Lesbia victoriae), a rare Andean hummingbird illustrated by Ludwig Reichenbach in Trochilinarum Enumeratio.
An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting hummingbirds surrounding their nest among brilliant tubular blossoms. This elegant composition celebrates the harmony between tropical birds, flowers and the delicate cycle of new life.
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.
An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, portraying emerald hummingbirds feeding among brilliant crimson and golden blossoms. A refined natural history composition celebrating the extraordinary colours and botanical diversity of the tropical forest.