Fashion & Costume
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition for age. Light age-related toning and minor foxing, mainly in the margins. Colors remain fresh and well balanced. No major tears or losses observed.
This attractive pair of late 19th-century color prints depicts traditional folk costumes from Styria (Steiermark) in Austria, presented as two complementary scenes that read beautifully together on the wall. One print shows male figures in regional dress, including a hunter-musician with rifle and drum, while the companion scene features women in traditional attire engaged in conversation, their costumes rendered with careful attention to fabric, color, and ornament.
The figures are shown in a calm rural setting and arranged with a strong sense of balance and narrative. These images were created during a period of renewed interest in regional identity within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, when folk costume imagery was collected, published, and displayed as both ethnographic record and decorative art. The emphasis here is on elegance rather than caricature, making the pair especially appealing for interior use.
The colors are rich yet harmonious, dominated by greens, muted reds, soft greys, and earth tones that integrate easily into classic, country-house, or contemporary interiors. As a pair, the prints offer visual symmetry and thematic unity, making them ideal for hanging side by side in a hallway, living room, library, or hospitality setting.
Such Austrian costume prints are valued today not only for their cultural and historical interest but also for their timeless decorative quality. Framed as a set, they create a refined European atmosphere and provide a subtle narrative without overwhelming a space.
Condition report:
Good condition for age. Light age-related toning and minor foxing, mainly in the margins. Colors remain fresh and well balanced. No major tears or losses observed.
Framing tips:
Present as a matched pair with generous off-white mats. Natural wood, walnut, or muted gilt frames work particularly well and enhance the warmth of the colors. Hanging them symmetrically will emphasize their decorative impact.
Technique: Chromolithography
Maker: Central European publisher, Austria, late 19th century
