Antique Fig Botanical Print, Ficus Carica, Hand Colored, c.1831

€ 690

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-14181-20

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 minor surface marks consistent with age. No losses.

About this sheet

Antique Fig Botanical Print, Ficus Carica, Hand Colored, c.1831

This decorative botanical engraving illustrates Ficus Carica, the fig tree, including leaves and fruit in various stages of development. The fig has long held cultural, culinary, and symbolic importance throughout the Mediterranean world and beyond.

Published in Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate reflects the inclusion of both staple and luxury food crops within the framework of economic botany. The composition balances botanical clarity with visual warmth, making it especially appealing for interior display.

Original hand coloring brings softness and depth to the foliage and fruit, resulting in a harmonious and inviting image. The plate works beautifully as a standalone piece or as part of a Mediterranean-themed grouping.

Condition report:
Moderate toning and minor surface marks consistent with age. No losses.

Framing tips:
A warm cream mat and a light to medium wood frame enhance the natural, domestic character of the subject.