Pair of 18th-Century Hot Air Balloon Lithograph in Burlwood Frames

Transport yourself to the wonder and romance of early flight with this pair of hand-colored antique engravings, each depicting the world’s first hot air balloon ascents in 18th-century France. Sourced from a private Santa Fe estate, these framed works celebrate the golden age of discovery and human ingenuity through a lens of art, science, and beauty. Each print features a finely detailed balloon launch scene, capturing the drama and excitement that swept across Europe after the Montgolfier brothers’ revolutionary ascent in 1783. The engravings are beautifully hand-colored in tones of sky blue, ochre, and rose, highlighting the ornate patterns and grand spectacle of these early flights. Mounted in rich burlwood frames with gilt accents, the pairing feels both refined and whimsical—a sophisticated nod to adventure, innovation, and the eternal allure of the skies. ProvenanceSourced in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from a collector of fine European prints and travel-inspired art. Likely mid-20th-