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Étude d’Oiseaux (1866)
Antique French book plate, dated 1866
A beautifully detailed antique French book plate dated 1866, selected for its refined illustration and soft, timeworn character. Featuring four classic French songbirds, this piece feels both educational and decorative, the kind of print once meant to inform, but now treasured for its artistry and quiet charm.
A true heirloom work on paper, ready to be framed and enjoyed.
A Piece with a Past
Dated 1866 and published in France, this antique plate was originally produced as part of a French natural history book, created to document the bird species of the region with accuracy and care. The names are printed in French, reflecting a time when nature studies were both a scholarly pursuit and a popular form of domestic learning.
The plate features:
-
Le Rossignol (nightingale)
-
Le Roitelet (goldcrest)
-
La Petite Charbonnière (coal tit)
-
La Grosse Mésange (great tit)
Plates like this were made to be handled and studied, which makes surviving examples especially meaningful. The gentle aging of the paper speaks to its authenticity and history.
Why We Love It Today
Antique bird plates bring an effortless sense of calm and heritage to a space. They are timeless, neutral, and endlessly versatile, fitting beautifully into both classic and modern interiors.
This piece works especially well for:
-
gallery walls with antique frames
-
cottage and country house interiors
-
kitchens, breakfast rooms, and hallways
-
layering with botanicals, landscapes, or architectural prints
The scale is also ideal, large enough to hold its own on a wall, but easy to frame and ship.
Details
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Origin: France
-
Date: 1866
-
Medium: Antique printed book plate on paper
-
Subject: French songbirds (labeled in French)
-
Dimensions (with mat): 15.5 x 11.5 inches
-
Dimensions (plate only): 10.25 x 6.5 inches
-
Condition: Wear consistent with age, including light toning and gentle edge wear. This antique patina is part of the piece’s character and authenticity. No major damage noted.
Styling Ideas
Frame in antique gilt for a traditional European look, or choose light natural wood to keep it soft and cottage-like. Beautiful on its own or paired with other natural history prints for a collected gallery wall.
This plate also layers beautifully on a bookshelf or console with vintage books, brass objects, and ceramic vessels.
The Atelier Chatelaine Standard
Every piece at Atelier Chatelaine is personally sourced and chosen for its ability to bring cohesion and quiet character to a space. We focus on objects that feel considered rather than cluttered, and that earn their place through tone, texture, and timeless appeal.
Étude d’Oiseaux (1866)
Antique French book plate, dated 1866
A beautifully detailed antique French book plate dated 1866, selected for its refined illustration and soft, timeworn character. Featuring four classic French songbirds, this piece feels both educational and decorative, the kind of print once meant to inform, but now treasured for its artistry and quiet charm.
A true heirloom work on paper, ready to be framed and enjoyed.
A Piece with a Past
Dated 1866 and published in France, this antique plate was originally produced as part of a French natural history book, created to document the bird species of the region with accuracy and care. The names are printed in French, reflecting a time when nature studies were both a scholarly pursuit and a popular form of domestic learning.
The plate features:
-
Le Rossignol (nightingale)
-
Le Roitelet (goldcrest)
-
La Petite Charbonnière (coal tit)
-
La Grosse Mésange (great tit)
Plates like this were made to be handled and studied, which makes surviving examples especially meaningful. The gentle aging of the paper speaks to its authenticity and history.
Why We Love It Today
Antique bird plates bring an effortless sense of calm and heritage to a space. They are timeless, neutral, and endlessly versatile, fitting beautifully into both classic and modern interiors.
This piece works especially well for:
-
gallery walls with antique frames
-
cottage and country house interiors
-
kitchens, breakfast rooms, and hallways
-
layering with botanicals, landscapes, or architectural prints
The scale is also ideal, large enough to hold its own on a wall, but easy to frame and ship.
Details
-
Origin: France
-
Date: 1866
-
Medium: Antique printed book plate on paper
-
Subject: French songbirds (labeled in French)
-
Dimensions (with mat): 15.5 x 11.5 inches
-
Dimensions (plate only): 10.25 x 6.5 inches
-
Condition: Wear consistent with age, including light toning and gentle edge wear. This antique patina is part of the piece’s character and authenticity. No major damage noted.
Styling Ideas
Frame in antique gilt for a traditional European look, or choose light natural wood to keep it soft and cottage-like. Beautiful on its own or paired with other natural history prints for a collected gallery wall.
This plate also layers beautifully on a bookshelf or console with vintage books, brass objects, and ceramic vessels.
The Atelier Chatelaine Standard
Every piece at Atelier Chatelaine is personally sourced and chosen for its ability to bring cohesion and quiet character to a space. We focus on objects that feel considered rather than cluttered, and that earn their place through tone, texture, and timeless appeal.