Antique Bird Print of a Chinese Cormorant on a Rocky Shoreline

Antique print titled 'Le l'Ouwa ou L'Oiseau Pescheur, avec la Maniere de Pecher, tire de Nieuhof'. Original engraved print of a Chinese cormorant. he cormorant is depicted at centre, perched on a rocky shoreline near the ocean. In the background, a walled Chinese city can be seen, a tall pagoda dominating the small collection of buildings. On the harbour before the city, a number of fishing boats can be seen, the fishermen using the cormorants to assist them in their trade. The use of trained cormorants by Chinese fishermen fascinated early western travellers to China. The fishermen would attach a snare around the bird's neck, which would prevent it from swallowing larger fish. When caught, the fish would then be disgorged by the birds for the fishermen. Smaller fish would not be trapped by the snare, ensuring that the bird would still be able to feed itself. The plate ascribes the view to the descriptions of Johan Nieuhof. This print originates from 'Histoire ge´ne´rale des voyages' by Abbé Prévost. Published circa 1750.

Condition: Good. General age-related toning. Shows some wear and soiling. Small spot affecting image, blank verso. Please study images carefully.

Date: c.1750

Overall size: 18.3 x 25.2 cm.