Botany · 19th century
€ 1 190
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Moderate age-related toning and light surface soiling. Overall very attractive.
Antique Coffee Botanical Print, Coffea Arabica, Hand Colored, c.1831
This outstanding botanical engraving depicts Coffea Arabica, the coffee plant, shown with characteristic foliage and fruit. Coffee was one of the most influential global commodities of the 18th and 19th centuries, shaping trade routes, colonial economies, and social culture worldwide.
The plate originates from Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde and exemplifies the work’s focus on plants central to international commerce. The composition is both visually commanding and botanically precise, making it one of the strongest images in the series.
Original hand coloring enhances the natural richness of the leaves and berries, giving the plate exceptional decorative presence. This is a cornerstone piece for kitchens, dining rooms, cafés, or collections centered on the history of food and drink.
Condition report:
Moderate age-related toning and light surface soiling. Overall very attractive.
Framing tips:
An ivory mat with a dark wood or black frame creates a striking and elegant contrast.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831–1832
