Chinese Agoda Temple Plan, Architectural Floor Plan Engraving – Ferrario, 1815
€ 280
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1815
Mapmaker / artist
Luigi Giarre after Giulio Ferrario, Italy, 1815
Technique
Copperplate engraving
Sheet size
25.4 × 35.4 cm (10.0 × 13.9 in)
Reference
BG-13000-35
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
Light age toning and occasional minor foxing consistent with early nineteenth-century paper. Wide margins preserved. Original embossed blind stamp visible, as issued, with possible light overlap into the image area. Strong impression.
About this sheet
Chinese Agoda Temple Plan, Architectural Floor Plan Engraving – Ferrario, 1815
This finely engraved architectural plan forms part of Giulio Ferrario’s celebrated early nineteenth-century publication Le Costume Antico e Moderno, one of the most ambitious illustrated surveys of global cultures, architecture, and social customs produced during the Enlightenment period. Engraved by Luigi Giarre and published in Italy in 1815, the plate presents a detailed architectural floor plan illustrating the spatial organization and ceremonial layout of a Chinese temple or sacred structure, reflecting European scholarly fascination with Asian architectural traditions.
Ferrario’s encyclopedic project sought to visually document world civilizations through costume, ritual objects, architecture, and social practices, combining artistic craftsmanship with early ethnographic curiosity. Architectural plates such as this example are particularly valued for their analytical clarity, offering a structured and almost scientific approach to the study of foreign building traditions. The engraving displays a symmetrical layout, clearly defined chambers, and central ceremonial areas, suggesting ritual movement through space and emphasizing axial alignment typical of Chinese sacred architecture as interpreted by European observers of the period.
The precision of line work demonstrates the technical skill of Luigi Giarre, whose engravings translate architectural information into refined graphic compositions. The restrained monochrome palette enhances the clarity of structural detail, making the image both visually elegant and intellectually engaging. Such plates were intended not only to educate but also to inspire curiosity among European audiences eager to understand distant cultures through illustrated publications.
Today, architectural engravings from Ferrario’s series are highly sought after by collectors, architects, and interior designers for their balance between historical scholarship and decorative minimalism. The strong graphic geometry and refined proportions allow this piece to function equally well as a standalone artwork or as part of a curated grouping focused on early ethnographic or architectural imagery.
Condition report: Light age toning and occasional minor foxing consistent with early nineteenth-century paper. Wide margins preserved. Original embossed blind stamp visible, as issued, with possible light overlap into the image area. Strong impression with clear line work.
Framing tips: This architectural plan benefits from a clean, minimal presentation. Consider a dark walnut or black frame with a generous ivory or archival white mat to emphasize the crisp geometry and create a museum-style display suitable for modern or classical interiors.
