Celebrate the exquisite artistry of nature with "Plumes," a captivating zoological illustration by the renowned French artist Adolphe Millot. Originally published in 1890 within the prestigious French encyclopedia "Le Larousse pour tous : nouveau dictionnaire encyclopédique," this Victorian-era masterpiece showcases a vibrant array of feathers from various bird species, meticulously rendered with extraordinary detail and accuracy.

This fine art print from The Unique Maps Co. authentically reproduces Millot’s original illustration, ensuring the preservation of every delicate line and vivid hue. Available on high-quality acid-free archival paper or artist's cotton canvas, this piece can be customized in size and framing options, allowing you to perfectly match your décor and personal style. A personalization option is also available, making this print a unique and thoughtful addition to your collection.

Adolphe Philippe Millot (1857–1921) was an esteemed French painter, lithographer, and entomologist, renowned for his precise and detailed natural history illustrations. As the senior illustrator at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle and a respected member of the Salon des Artistes Français and the Société entomologique de France, Millot's work became synonymous with scientific accuracy and artistic beauty.

"Plumes" is particularly notable for its impressive zoological accuracy, displaying an array of feathers from diverse bird species, each carefully labeled in elegant French script. The species depicted in this illustration include:

• Aigle (Eagle)
• Hibou (Owl)
• Goura (Crowned pigeon)
• Argus (Argus pheasant)
• Autruche (Ostrich)
• Paon (Peacock)
• Paon spicifère (Crested peacock)
• Éperonnier (Spur-winged bird)
• Lophophore (Himalayan monal)
• Pintade (Guinea fowl)
• Grèbe (Grebe)
• Colin (Quail)
• Momot (Motmot)
• Grue couronnée (Crowned crane)
• Ménure-lyre (Lyrebird)
• Coq de roche (Cock-of-the-rock)
• Coq de Sonnerat (Sonnerat’s junglefowl)
• Tricoglosse (Trichoglossus parrot)
• Brève (Pitta)
• Couroucou (Cuckoo roller)
• Faisan vénéré (Reeves's pheasant)
• Calliste (Tangara)
• Cut-cut (Possibly Cotinga or calliste variant)
• Manakin (Manakin bird)
• Om Bonaparte (Bonaparte’s bird-of-paradise)
• Aigrette (Egret)
• Crosseate (Possibly stylized feather type)
• Canard mandarin (Mandarin duck)
• Oiseau de Paradis (Bird of paradise)
• Roi des Gobe mouches (King of the flycatchers)
• Dindon ocellé (Ocellated turkey)
• Casouar casqué (Helmeted cassowary)
• Perridophore (Possibly variation of bird-of-paradise)
• Cacatoès (Cockatoo)
• Faisan doré (Golden pheasant)
• Pipra (Manakin genus)
• Manucode (Manucode bird-of-paradise)
• Om paon (Peacock-like bird-of-paradise)
• Om magnifique (Magnificent bird-of-paradise)
• Om Sapho (Likely Sappho cometa – Red-tailed comet)
• Om bleu
• Om Clarisse
• Om Judith

The artwork's refined palette of rich earth tones, deep blues, iridescent greens, and subtle golds highlights the natural elegance of each feather. Millot’s impeccable attention to detail reveals the intricate patterns, textures, and subtle color variations that make each feather distinctly beautiful. This illustration is not only an artistic treasure but also a celebration of biodiversity and the wonders of the avian world.

Ideal as a sophisticated and thoughtful gift, this print is perfect for bird lovers, natural history enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates the timeless elegance of Victorian-era illustrations. Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, or a housewarming, "Plumes" by Adolphe Millot is a unique and memorable gift that will be cherished for years to come.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 5-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.