Antique Chromolithograph of the Common Crane – Grus Grus, c.1890
€ 210
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1890
Mapmaker / artist
P.M.K. (artist/engraver), c.1890, Europe
Technique
Chromolithograph
Sheet size
40 × 29 cm (15.7 × 11.4 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-12677-68
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Good condition. Colors remain rich and detailed. Light age toning and faint foxing in the margins, consistent with age. Plate mark visible. No tears or major damage. Not supplied with matting board or frame.
About this sheet
Antique Chromolithograph of the Common Crane – Grus grus, c.1890
A superb late 19th-century chromolithograph depicting the Common Crane (Grus grus) in its natural wetland habitat. The central figure shows an old male in full plumage, with its elegant gray feathers, long neck, and distinctive red crown. In the background, several other cranes are shown foraging in shallow water, while a flock is seen migrating across the sky. This prints is sold without a frame or matting board.
The Common Crane is one of Europe’s most iconic and culturally significant birds, long associated with migration, seasonal change, and symbolic meanings of fidelity and longevity. This print captures both the dignity and natural grace of the species with lifelike detail and atmospheric composition.
Printed using the chromolithographic process, the plate demonstrates the richness of color and subtle tonal blending characteristic of this technique. The plate bears the artist’s monogram “P.M.K.” in the lower left, marking its origin within a renowned ornithological series published around 1890.
Condition report: Good condition. Colors remain rich and detailed. Light age toning and faint foxing in the margins, consistent with age. Plate mark visible. No tears or major damage. Not supplied with matting board or frame.
Framing tips: A tall, narrow frame in walnut or oak with an ivory mat will emphasize the vertical elegance of the crane. Alternatively, a black frame with a soft cream mat offers a contemporary, clean contrast that highlights the bird’s plumage.
