This is a hand-colored Shaw and Nodder copper engraving of a Lepidopterine Mite. As I understand it, these mites specifically targets the tympanic membranes (ears) of owlet moths, invading and breed in the moth's ear. And only one ear of the moth, leaving the moth with one functional ear, allowing it to still hear and evade predators, and ensuring the host (and the mite) survives Amazing. And, as rendered here, it looks like a completely surreal, imaginary creature, with the legs appearing as if composed of pine needles, and as if the body were about to shed them all.
Recently, I found a couple of Shaw and Nodder engravings that had been enhanced with additional watercoloring and annotation by a holder of them in the first half of the 19th century; that is not the case here, but those heightened my awareness of Shaw and Nodder engravings, and there is a dealer in Vermont with a stash I keep mining. The engraving comes from George Shaw's renowned The Naturalist's Miscellany, with this plate dated 1790. The Naturalist's Miscellany was a monumental 24-volume work, known for its wide range of birds, reptiles, insects, quadrupeds, sea life, and botanicals. Fredrick Nodder was the engraver for most of the work. George Shaw was a doctor, Fellow of the Royal Society, co-founder of the Linnean Society, and a zoologist of the British Museum.
8 7/8" x 5 3/8", excellent condition.
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