Antique Mahogany Botanical Print, Swietenia Mahagoni, c.1831

€ 790

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-14181-17

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 with light discoloration consistent with age. Image remains clear and intact.

About this sheet

Antique Mahogany Botanical Print, Swietenia Mahagoni, c.1831
This finely detailed botanical engraving illustrates Swietenia Mahagoni, the mahogany tree, including its distinctive fruit and seed structures. Mahogany was among the most prized timbers of the 18th and 19th centuries, valued for furniture, shipbuilding, and architectural use.

The plate comes from Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, where it represents plants of material and economic importance rather than purely ornamental interest. The emphasis on structure and usable material reflects the practical concerns of merchants, craftsmen, and manufacturers of the period.

Original hand coloring supports the clarity of the engraving without excessive ornament, resulting in a dignified and architectural image. This plate appeals particularly to interior designers, furniture historians, and collectors interested in material culture.

Condition report:
Moderate toning with light discoloration consistent with age. Image remains clear and intact.

Framing tips:
A natural linen mat and a walnut or dark oak frame complement the subject’s association with fine woodwork.