Antique Grape Varieties Botanical Print, Vitis Vinifera Study, c.1831

€ 565

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-14181-3

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 toning and light surface dirt. No structural damage.

About this sheet

Antique Grape Varieties Botanical Print, Vitis Vinifera Study, Hand Colored

This comparative botanical engraving presents multiple varieties of Vitis vinifera, offering a more analytical view of grape morphology than single-specimen plates. Leaves and structural variations are carefully contrasted, reflecting the growing interest in classification, cultivation, and agricultural improvement during the early 19th century.

As part of Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate illustrates the scientific foundations underpinning viticulture as a commercial enterprise. Such images were essential reference tools for understanding crop diversity and quality at a time when wine production played a major role in European trade networks.

Original hand coloring lends clarity and depth to the individual forms without overwhelming the composition. The plate appeals especially to collectors, wine historians, and those with a scholarly interest in agricultural illustration.

Condition report:
Moderate age toning and light surface dirt. No structural damage.

Framing tips:
A neutral mat with a slightly wider margin emphasizes the comparative nature of the study. A darker wood frame adds gravitas.