Mussel (Mawe Spelt As Muscle) Shells

21 x 13cm (8.25 x 5 inches).

Mytilus

This antique lithograph is from the first edition of Conchology by John Mawe, one of the oldest works about shells, dated 1823. It is a genuine antique, not a reproduction. It has hand painted coloring and is in very good condition.
Shell collecting was a popular eighteenth- and nineteenth-century pastime, as it was an era of exploration. Shells from exotic lands were eagerly sought to fill the curiosity cabinets considered indispensable in the well-appointed home. Whilst shell collecting was popular, relatively few prints illustrating shells in color were ever produced. Considering that pictures of shells are popular to this day, it is no surprise that antique prints of shells are scarce, in great demand and likely to become more valuable.