Brittle Bladder Fern Triptych, Hand-Colored Engravings, 1873, 3 Prints

€ 270

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

Date: 1873
Mapmaker / artist: Anne Pratt, England, published 1873
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Sheet size: 24.4 × 14 cm (9.6 × 5.5 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14198-53 & BG-14198-54, -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

Moderate age toning with light scattered foxing, consistent with age; images remain clean and well defined.

About this sheet

Brittle Bladder Fern, Toothed Bladder Fern and Mountain Bladder Fern – Triptych, 1873

This delicate and visually refined botanical triptych presents three closely related bladder fern species, illustrated with precision and lightness. The Brittle Bladder Fern, Toothed Bladder Fern, and Mountain Bladder Fern are shown with finely divided fronds and open branching structures, giving the set an airy, lace-like character. When displayed together, the three prints create a calm and harmonious composition with a gentle rhythm and excellent balance.

The engravings were published in 1873 as part of Anne Pratt’s influential botanical works, celebrated for their clarity, accessibility, and refined aesthetic quality. Bladder ferns were admired in the Victorian period for their fragile appearance and preference for shaded, rocky habitats, qualities that are clearly conveyed through the careful engraving and subtle hand coloring. The restrained green palette, combined with generous negative space, gives this triptych a timeless elegance that integrates easily into both traditional and contemporary interiors.

As a ready-made triptych, this set is particularly appealing to interior designers and collectors seeking botanical artwork with a softer, more delicate presence. It works beautifully in bedrooms, studies, stairwells, or quieter wall spaces where understated natural history imagery is desired.

Condition report:
Moderate age toning with light scattered foxing, consistent with age; images remain clean and well defined.

Framing tips:
Use matching mats in warm ivory, pale linen, or soft stone tones. Frames in light oak, natural ash, or slim painted frames will complement the delicacy of the fronds.