1622 Wagtail, Ornithology, Ant. Tempesta; F. Villamena, Master Engraving

Copper engraving published by Giovanni Pietro Olina (1585-1645) for his scarce treatise:  

Uccellera overo discorso della natura e proprieta di diversi uccelli.   

Rome: Andrea Fei, 1622.  

Dimensions:

Height: 8.82 in. (22.4 cm)

Width: 6.3 in. (16 cm)

Fine hand colour.  

Uccelliera is a discourse on the characteristics of the many birds to be found in Italy, and gives instructions on their care, and identifies their habits and songs.   

Antonio Tempesta, also called il Tempestino (1555 – 5 August 1630), was an Italian painter and engraver, whose art acted as a point of connection between Baroque Rome and the culture of Antwerp.  

Francesco Villamena was an Italian engraver and artist. Villamena was born in Assisi. He studied under Cornelis Cort. Others state he was a follower of Agostino Carracci. Villamena produced primarily works of religious and historical subjects. He died in Rome in 1640.

Wear consistent with age and use. See images.