{"product_id":"koi-fish-hardcover-journal-chinese-golden-fish-notebook","title":"Goldfish Hardcover Journal — François-Nicolas Martinet 1780 Histoire Naturelle des Dorades de la Chine Hand-Colored Engraving Billardon de Sauvigny","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWitness the moment Europe first marveled at the gilded fish of China—exotic Dragon Eyes goldfish that captivated the French court in 1780.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1780, French naturalist Edme-Louis Billardon de Sauvigny published \u003cem\u003eHistoire naturelle des dorades de la Chine\u003c\/em\u003e (Natural History of the Gilded Fish of China), the first European monograph dedicated exclusively to goldfish. Based on paintings and notes sent from China to the French court, this landmark work introduced European audiences to 88 varieties of ornamental goldfish, creatures still considered rare and exotic in the West. The term \"dorades\" referred not to sea bream, but to the fish's shimmering golden appearance. Court engraver François-Nicolas Martinet transformed anonymous Chinese drawings into 48 exquisite hand-colored plates, creating a visual encyclopedia of aquatic beauty that bridged Eastern breeding traditions and Western scientific illustration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFront Cover (Plate 22):\u003c\/strong\u003e This journal's cover features Martinet's hand-colored engraving depicting three varieties of \u003cem\u003eLong-Tsing-Yu\u003c\/em\u003e or \"Dragon Eyes\" goldfish, a type of \u003cem\u003eYa-Tan-Yu\u003c\/em\u003e (\"Duck Eggs\") prized for their prominent, protruding eyes. The three color variants are labeled in French: \u003cem\u003eLe Rouillé\u003c\/em\u003e (The Rusty, golden-brown), \u003cem\u003eLe Cerise\u003c\/em\u003e (The Cherry, deep red), and \u003cem\u003eLe Léopard\u003c\/em\u003e (The Leopard, mottled with spotted patterns). Each fish is rendered with meticulous attention to scale patterns, fin structure, and the distinctive bulging eyes that gave this variety its dramatic name. The delicate hand-coloring captures the iridescent quality that made these fish treasures of Chinese imperial gardens and objects of fascination in European salons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBack Cover:\u003c\/strong\u003e The back cover presents another Martinet engraving from the same series, depicting two additional goldfish varieties: \u003cem\u003eLe Souci\u003c\/em\u003e (The Marigold) and \u003cem\u003eLa Capucine\u003c\/em\u003e (The Nasturtium), named for their vibrant floral colors. The plate includes Chinese characters (\u003cem\u003eKin Tu\u003c\/em\u003e) and calligraphic annotations, preserving the cross-cultural exchange that made this publication possible. Together, the front and back covers showcase the extraordinary diversity of goldfish breeding achieved in China over centuries, documented at the moment these \"gilded fish\" first entered European scientific consciousness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis monograph represents a pivotal moment in natural history when Eastern horticultural mastery met Western Enlightenment curiosity. Billardon de Sauvigny's work served as both scientific reference and art book, introducing French aristocrats and naturalists to the sophisticated breeding techniques that had transformed the humble Prussian carp into living jewels of ornamental aquaculture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy This Journal Inspires:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeatures the first European monograph on goldfish, published in Paris 1780\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShowcases François-Nicolas Martinet's rare hand-colored engravings of Dragon Eyes goldfish varieties\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDocuments the moment Chinese ornamental fish captivated the French court and European naturalists\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCelebrates cross-cultural exchange between Chinese breeding traditions and Western scientific illustration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat: Hardcover journal with matte finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePages: 128 ruled pages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinding: Durable casewrap binding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 5.75\" × 8\" (14.6 cm × 20.3 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 0.22 lbs (100 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCover: Premium matte finish with 1780 hand-colored goldfish engravings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect For:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAquarists and koi\/goldfish enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural history collectors and ichthyology students\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdmirers of 18th-century French Enlightenment science\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of hand-colored engravings and botanical\/zoological illustration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStudents of Sino-European cultural exchange\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrnamental fish breeders and aquaculture historians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEU Compliance Notice:\u003c\/strong\u003e This product complies with EU regulations. For detailed information about materials, safety, and manufacturer details, please contact us or refer to the product packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarry the gilded fish of China—where centuries of breeding artistry met European wonder, and living jewels swam from imperial gardens into the pages of history.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LeBonJournal","offers":[{"title":"Journal","offer_id":62840515920241,"sku":"20906074650856892904","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/5367\/0769\/files\/goldfish-journal-martinet-1780-dragon-eyes-plate-22-engraving.jpg?v=1770144253","url":"https:\/\/lebonjournal.com\/products\/koi-fish-hardcover-journal-chinese-golden-fish-notebook","provider":"LeBonJournal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}