Antique Coffee Botanical Print, Coffea Arabica, Hand Colored, c.1831

€ 1 190

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-14181-19

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 age-related toning and light surface soiling. Overall very attractive.

About this sheet

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.