About this Item
This antique engraving is an illustration from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793. The plate is dedicated to "Chasse, Petites Chasses et Pièges," which translates to "Hunting, Small Game Hunting, and Traps." It depicts various traps used for capturing small game, likely illustrating different designs and mechanisms for both live capture and other trapping methods. The top portion of the plate shows two outdoor scenes with traps set up in a natural environment, while the bottom portion provides detailed depictions of different types of traps, showcasing their construction and functionality. These images would have provided valuable information to readers of the encyclopedia on the craft of trapping and small game hunting. Just like the other plates, this one also serves an educational purpose, detailing the intricacies of hunting technology during the era it was produced. The meticulous drawings, the careful labeling (see below), and the inclusion of musical notation at the bottom suggest a blend of practical information with an element of the cultural aspects of hunting, perhaps indicating the sounds associated with the activity. The engraving is executed on verge type hand-laid paper, a high-quality paper commonly used at the time for important documents and artwork. It showcases the meticulous art of etching and engraving that was characteristic of the era. The Encyclopédie Méthodique is an expanded and re-arranged edition of the earlier Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert, which was a substantial reference for arts and sciences and a vehicle for spreading the ideas of the French Enlightenment. This encyclopedia was an immense undertaking, with contributions from more than 140 individuals, and it played a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge during that era. The figures are labeled and offer a glimpse into the techniques and tools used in fishing during the late 18th century, serving not only as an informative piece but also as an historical document illustrating the technological and industrial knowledge of the time. The artists and engravers involved in the creation of this plate, such as Robert Benard, played a critical role in illustrating the vast array of subjects covered by the encyclopedia. More details of the labeling: Fig. 1. Trebuchet. 2. Another trebuchet: the mechanism is obvious. 3. Double trap for martens, weasels, skunk & other animals of this species. The doors which are at the same time the cover ab , are held open by the strings cd which escape at the slightest shock received by the string e which responds to the bait placed inside the trebuchet. 4. The same simple trebuchet. 5. Interior view of this simple trebuchet. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Different kinds of cages; some light, others dark; covered with canvas, or with bars, archal wire or tow. 11. Tones noted for the calls of some birds.
Seller Inventory # BG-13675-18
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