Manuscript Orbis Pictus. by Anonymous - no date (1820s): 13 original pen- and water-colour drawings by an anonymous artist.

13 exceedingly charming, finely coloured original drawings each ca 190 x 155 mm, the first, designed as a title bears the manuscript inscription 'Titelbild' within a frame. The composition of the pictures is varied in the manner of a quodlibet with a centrepiece depicting a scene with a group of children, girls and boys engaged in playing, in the background framed by views of famous monuments (Trajan's Column, Sphinx, Castel Angelo, Brandenburg Gate, Pyramids, Blue Mosque, etc.), and at both sides in upper corners with illustrations of reptiles and insects, underneath illustrations of drawing sheets with exotic costumes and animals, and at the bottom household articles, gardening implements, plants and fruits. The vivid and qualitatively excellent centrepiece drawings show a sledge ride, carnival, children blowing soap bubbles, dancing and weaving wreaths, boys playing with tin soldiers, children playing with a toy shop, with a large peepshow box, with a rocking horse and much more. All plates pasted onto greyish paper mounts.
These charming drawings made by an anonymous well-trained aspiring amateur artist or a professional artist are exceedingly well produced and excellently preserved. A rare survivor from the Biedermeier period