Hand-Colored Botanical Lithograph of Madder and Safflower, 1854
€ 250
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1854
Sheet size
26 × 20.5 cm (10.2 × 8.1 in)
Reference
BG-14010-9
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
The print is in excellent condition with minimal foxing and slight edge wear. The colors remain vivid, and the fine details are crisp, ensuring its quality as a historical and artistic artifact.
About this sheet
Hand-Colored Botanical Lithograph of Madder and Safflower, Calwer, 1854
This detailed botanical lithograph is from Carl Georg Calwer’s Deutschlands Technische Pflanzen (1854), a classic work on Germany’s technical and industrial plants. The illustration features Rubia tinctorum (madder) and Carthamus tinctorius (safflower), both meticulously hand-colored to highlight their defining features. Madder, with its climbing stems and small yellow flowers, was an essential source of red dye for textiles, widely used in ancient and medieval Europe. Safflower, known for its vibrant orange flower heads, provided dye for textiles and cosmetics and was used as a substitute for saffron in culinary applications.
The composition showcases the intricate botanical structures of both plants, including the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers, combining artistic precision with scientific accuracy. The annotations offer insight into the historical and practical roles of these plants, reflecting their significance in 19th-century industry and trade.
Measuring approximately 24 x 30 cm, this original lithograph is a valuable piece for collectors, historians, and natural history enthusiasts. Perfect for framing, it makes a striking decorative addition to libraries, studies, or galleries, blending educational value with timeless beauty.
