Antique Oats and Wild Grasses Prints, Botanical Lithographs, 1852

€ 220

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1852
Mapmaker / artist: Carl Gustav Calwer, Stuttgart, 1852
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Sheet size: 26.5 × 21 cm (10.4 × 8.3 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14178-53, -54, -55

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

Wear consistent with age and use. Condition report: Overall light to moderate toning with scattered foxing. Margins show minor wear. Colors remain subtle and intact.

About this sheet

Antique Oats and Wild Grasses Prints, Botanical Lithographs, 1852

This elegant three-plate set illustrates oats and related grasses from Carl Gustav Calwer’s agricultural atlas, published in Stuttgart in 1852. The plates show delicate panicles and branching forms, capturing the lightness and movement of these crops with remarkable sensitivity.

Unlike denser cereal ears, these grasses are depicted with airy spacing and fine linear detail, giving the compositions a rhythmic and almost calligraphic quality. The soft hand coloring reinforces their natural grace and makes the set particularly appealing for modern and Scandinavian-style interiors.

Originally intended for agricultural instruction, the plates now function beautifully as decorative works, combining scientific accuracy with visual harmony. Grouped together, they form a calm, cohesive ensemble that works especially well in living spaces, hallways, or offices.

Condition report: Overall light to moderate toning with scattered foxing. Margins show minor wear. Colors remain subtle and intact.

Framing tips: Hang as a horizontal row of three or a vertical column. Pale wood frames and light linen mats complement the delicate lines.