Antique Cardamom Botanical Print, Elettaria & Amomum Species, c.1831

€ 940

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1831
Mapmaker / artist: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831–1832
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Sheet size: 27.1 × 22.7 cm (10.7 × 8.9 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14181-34

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

Moderate toning and light foxing, consistent with age. Image remains crisp.

About this sheet

Antique Cardamom Botanical Print, Elettaria & Amomum Species, c.1831
This complex botanical engraving illustrates two cardamom species, including Elettaria cardamomum and Amomum cardamomum, with rhizomes, flowers, seed pods, and sectional details. Cardamom was one of the most valuable spices in global trade, prized for its aroma and medicinal properties.

Published in Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate exemplifies the publication’s strength in combining scientific clarity with visual richness. The composition is dynamic and highly decorative, making it one of the standout spice plates in the series.

Original hand coloring is rich yet controlled, particularly in the green stems and warm seed pods, giving the plate strong wall presence.

Condition report:
Moderate toning and light foxing, consistent with age. Image remains crisp.

Framing tips:
An ivory mat with a dark wood or black frame emphasizes contrast and depth.