Original antique engraving on laid paper, with the distinctive monogram of Albrecht Dürer inside the lower margin.

• The image depicts a cockerel perched atop a helmet which is in turn balanced on a shield. The cock has his wings outspread and his beak open in a triumphant or warning crow. Beneath him, elaborate streams of acanthus foliage or pennants twist, swirl and spiral forth from the helmet to either side of the shield in a virtuoso display of ornamental design. The shield bears a heraldic emblem of a semi-naturalistic rampant lion with a fierce expression and claws extended.



• The area of the plate impression measures 20.4 x 13.2 cm [8" x 5¼"]. The overall sheet size is 45 x 31 cm [17¾" x 12¼"], and the paper has a bold "Van Gelder" watermark, shown in the backlit image above.
  
  
• Condition:  This engraving had previously been matted and framed, and there is some faint toning in the center area, where it had not been shielded by the matte board. There is also a fold along the top edge, perhaps to accommodate fitting the engraving into the frame? There are no rips or tears, and the sheet is blank on the back, with no printing on the reverse side. Please see the scans and feel free to ask any questions.



• Dürer originally engraved this coat of arms circa 1502-3, and it may have been created to attract commissions for similar designs, because it has not been linked to any particular family.



• This engraving appears to date from the mid-1800s, although the exact year of printing and any records of provenance are not known. Van Gelder papers have been in use since the late 17th century.



• Buy with confidence! We are always happy to combine shipping on the purchase of multiple items — just make sure to pay for everything at one time, not individually.