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
Wear consistent with age and use. Good antique condition with visible age-related foxing, spotting and toning, varying between the four sheets. Some sheets show more pronounced foxing, particularly toward the margins. Minor marginal wear and traces from former binding are present.
About this sheet
Set of Four Antique Alpine Trades & Folk Costume Engravings, Switzerland & Tyrol, circa 1850 Attractive set of four original antique hand-colored engravings depicting traditional trades, occupations and regional costumes from Switzerland and the Tyrol. Published in Paris circa 1850 as part of the series “Les peuples peints par leurs Costumes.”
The set comprises:
1. Laitier Bernois (Suisse) – A Bernese dairyman in traditional Swiss dress, depicted beside a large wooden milk vessel and carrying the tools associated with his occupation.
2. Garde de Vignes à Meran (Tyrol) – A vineyard guard from Meran, present-day Merano in South Tyrol, wearing colorful Alpine costume with a feathered hat and carrying a long staff and horn.
3. Laitier de l’Oberhasli (Canton de Fribourg, Suisse) – A Swiss dairyman in regional costume, standing with dairy vessels and holding a long Alpine horn.
4. Marchand de Tapis de Zell (Tyrol) – A traveling carpet merchant from Zell in the Tyrol, shown carrying a substantial bundle of textiles on his back while smoking a pipe and walking with a stick.
Finely engraved and enhanced with period hand coloring, the four prints form an engaging record of everyday Alpine occupations and traditional dress in the mid-19th century. Unlike purely decorative costume studies, these images also document working life, showing distinctive trades associated with the rural communities of Switzerland and the Tyrol.
The dairymen, vineyard guard and traveling textile merchant form a particularly coherent group. Their varied poses, occupational attributes and complementary colors make the four prints highly decorative when displayed together in a symmetrical 2 x 2 arrangement.
MEDIUM: Hand-colored engravings on paper
STYLE: Romantic
Original antique prints, not modern reproductions.
DIMENSIONS: Four individual sheets; dimensions available on request.
SOLD: As a set of four, unframed. Any framed or interior images shown are for presentation and inspiration only.
