Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look, drawn to its real size; it is sold unframed unless the description says otherwise.
Flora and Fauna
Victorian Butterfly Plates, The Rhopalocera of Java by Piepers & Snellen, 1908
$450
€400 · £335
Original print, not a reproduction
Ships worldwide from the Netherlands, insured and tracked. 14-day returns.
- Date
- 1908
- Sheet size
- 12.8 × 9.8 in (32.5 × 25 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Excellent preserved chromolithographs with strong color and crisp detail. Slight age-toning consistent with age. Margins intact and suitable for matting.
- Island
- Java
- Collection
- Flora and Fauna
- Period
- Netherlands Indies, 1850 and after
- Stock no.
- f_46593382
- Color
- Printed color
What the condition grades mean
- Excellent
- Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
- Very good
- Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
- Good
- Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
- Fair
- Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Victorian Butterfly Plates from The Rhopalocera of Java by Piepers & Snellen
This striking horizontal compilation brings together three richly detailed entomological plates from The Rhopalocera of Java, a foundational 19th-century work by entomologists M.C. Piepers and P.C.T. Snellen. Published in Leiden and printed by F.W\.M. Trap, these plates (numbered XXV, XXVI, and XXVII) showcase the remarkable biodiversity of Javanese butterflies in vivid chromolithographic detail.
Each specimen is meticulously illustrated, with wings both open and closed, allowing for the full appreciation of their intricate patterns and coloration. The plates include not only butterflies but also their life stages, caterpillars, chrysalides, and pupae, underscoring the scientific ambition of the work. The subtle naturalistic tones, combined with scientific precision, make these prints both aesthetically captivating and historically important.
Piepers and Snellen were pioneers in the field of Lepidoptera research in the Dutch East Indies, and their collaboration produced one of the most visually compelling entomological series of the era. The butterflies are identified by number and sometimes lettered variants (e.g. 130a, 130b), likely referencing species or morphs as cataloged in the original text volumes.
When displayed together, these plates form a cohesive visual narrative of tropical natural history, rich in Victorian-era charm. Their warm palette, delicate linework, and museum-quality layout make them perfect for framing as a scientific triptych or natural history wall ensemble.
Condition Summary:
Excellent preserved chromolithographs with strong color and crisp detail. Slight age-toning consistent with age. Margins intact and suitable for matting.
Framing Tips:
Double matting in soft cream or ivory with a thin dark inner border will highlight the subtle tones of the butterflies. Frames in walnut, ebonized wood, or gilt will complement the Victorian style. Ideal for horizontal display above a desk or in a natural history-themed interior.
Technique: Chromolithograph
Maker: F.W\.M. Trap, Leiden, c. 1888 to 1896
From: The Rhopalocera of Java by M.C. Piepers & P.C.T. Snellen
