Canis Major, Lepus, Columba Noachi & Cæla Sculptoris — Celestial chart (1831)

Star-pricked ink and mythic figures share the night. This 1831 astronomical illustration by Sidney Hall maps Canis Major, Lepus, Columba Noachi, and Cæla Sculptoris with engraved precision—constellations sketched as elegant personifications across a gridded sky. Science and story in one luminous sweep.

Why it captivates

• Victorian astronomy — crisp engraving and tidy labels from the age of great atlases.

• Myth + measurement — classical figures overlaid on accurate celestial grids.

• Decor-friendly palette — warm paper tone, fine linework, and subtle tints.

• Historic typography — period lettering that reads beautifully at scale.

• Conversation piece — navigation, lore, and design in a single plate.

• Statement artwork — intelligent focal point for studies, libraries, and living rooms.

What you’ll see

An ordered celestial grid with constellation figures—the bright dog of Canis Major, the hare (Lepus), Noah’s Dove (Columba Noachi), and the sculptor’s tools (Cæla Sculptoris)—each titled and numbered. Up close: hairline hatching, neat star symbols, and precise cartouche text. From a step back: a calm, architectural sky.

A richer historical frame

British engraver Sidney Hall helped popularise 19th-century celestial cartography, where star positions, ecliptic lines, and mythic imagery were fused into collectible charts. These plates brought the heavens into parlours and classrooms—empirical maps imbued with classical imagination.

Choose your finish

🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass. Crisp linework, minimal glare.

💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—perfect for busy spaces.

🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich tone and fine detail.

🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.

Size (W × H)

841 × 580 mm (approx. 33.11 × 22.83 in)

• Orientation: Landscape

• Aspect ratio: ~1.450 : 1

• Nearest standard frame: A1 (594 × 841 mm) — landscape

• Framing tips:

  • Classic look: use an A1 frame with a mat window cut to ~837 × 576 mm for a 2–3 mm edge overlap.

  • Contemporary look: float-mount in an A1 frame for a clean, gallery reveal.

Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).

Specifications

Who it’s for

• Stargazers & map lovers

• Design aficionados drawn to engraved plates

• Collectors & stylists curating intelligent, heritage-rich interiors

• Educators illustrating constellations and sky lore

Our Commitment

Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.

Chart the night on your wall—order your fine-art print of Sidney Hall’s celestial plate today.