Hand-Colored Botanical Lithograph of Madder, Buckthorn, Cleavers, 1854
€ 230
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-14010-11
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, Buckthorn, and Cleavers, Calwer, 1854
This finely crafted botanical lithograph is from Carl Georg Calwer’s Deutschlands Technische Pflanzen (1854), a renowned work dedicated to Germany’s industrial and agricultural flora. The illustration features Galium aparine (cleavers), Rhamnus cathartica (buckthorn), and Rubia tinctorum (madder), all meticulously hand-colored to emphasize their unique characteristics. Cleavers, with its delicate whorled leaves and small white flowers, was historically used for medicinal purposes. Buckthorn, known for its black berries and glossy leaves, played a significant role in the production of dye and laxative remedies. Madder, with its slender stems and fine flowers, was a crucial source of red dye for textiles.
The artwork showcases these plants with exceptional attention to detail, capturing their leaves, flowers, stems, and berries with both artistic finesse and scientific accuracy. Annotations accompanying the illustration provide valuable historical and botanical context, reflecting their importance in 19th-century European industry and medicine.
This original lithograph, measuring approximately 24 x 30 cm, is a superb piece for collectors of antique botanical prints or natural history enthusiasts. Ideal for framing and display, it brings a touch of historical charm and educational value to any setting, including libraries, galleries, and studies.
