Botany · 19th century
€ 580
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Moderate toning with minor scattered spotting, typical for the period. The image remains clear and attractive.
Antique Grape Botanical Engraving, Vitis vinifera, Hand Colored, 1830s
This elegant botanical plate illustrates Vitis Vinifera, the common grapevine, presented with a single, well-balanced specimen emphasizing leaf structure and growth habit. The composition reflects the classical clarity favored in early 19th-century botanical illustration, combining scientific accuracy with a restrained decorative sensibility.
Published in Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the image belongs to a broader visual survey of plants fundamental to global trade. Wine production occupied a central place in European agriculture and commerce, and grape cultivation was deeply embedded in economic, cultural, and regional identity across the Mediterranean and beyond.
The engraving is enhanced with original hand coloring, applied in soft greens with subtle shading that articulates the veins and surface texture of the leaves. The overall effect is calm and refined, making this plate particularly suitable for interior display in dining spaces, wine rooms, or studies.
Condition report:
Moderate toning with minor scattered spotting, typical for the period. The image remains clear and attractive.
Framing tips:
A light stone or pale grey mat paired with a simple natural wood or gilt frame works well with the understated palette.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831–1832
