Antique Gum Arabic Botanical Print, Acacia Tortilis & Acacia Seyal, c.1831

€ 880

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-14181-32

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 light surface dirt. Overall well preserved.

About this sheet

Antique Gum Arabic Botanical Print, Acacia Tortilis & Acacia Seyal, c.1831

This detailed botanical engraving illustrates Acacia tortilis and Acacia seyal, two African acacia species closely associated with the production of high-quality gum arabic. The composition includes mature plants, seed pods, and botanical dissections that underline their economic importance.

Issued in Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate reflects European scientific and mercantile interest in raw materials essential to manufacturing, medicine, and the arts. Gum arabic was indispensable to 19th-century industry and publishing.

Original hand coloring is subtle and precise, allowing the structural differences between the species to remain clear. The analytical yet decorative character makes this plate appealing to both collectors and interior designers.

Condition report:
Moderate toning and light surface dirt. Overall well preserved.

Framing tips:
A neutral linen mat with a medium to dark wood frame suits the scientific character of the image.