About this sheet
North African Costumes & Figures, Racinet Afrique Plates, Set of 2, 1888
A striking pair of original chromolithographs from 1888, drawn from Auguste Racinet’s celebrated Le Costume Historique, presenting an elegant and highly decorative survey of North African dress and daily life across the Maghreb.
These refined plates capture both the rhythm of everyday life and the visual richness of traditional attire. One composition contrasts Kabyle women engaged in domestic activities—carrying water, transporting goods, and harvesting grain—with male figures below, including soldiers and regional types from Algeria and Tunisia, distinguished by red fezzes, cloaks, and muskets. The second plate focuses more closely on costume itself, showcasing Berber, Kabyle, and Tunisian garments and headdresses, rendered with clarity and balance against a neutral ground.
Together, the prints offer a compelling interplay between narrative and form: lived experience on one hand, and structured costume study on the other. The garments align closely with those historically worn by Berber communities across the Maghreb, combining ethnographic accuracy with Racinet’s refined decorative sensibility.
Printed in Paris by Firmin Didot, these chromolithographs exemplify the high technical standards of late 19th-century color printing, with soft yet vibrant tones and precise detailing. As a pair, they create a harmonious and visually cohesive wall presentation, ideal for both collectors and interior designers.
Condition:
Good condition overall. Light age toning and minor spotting, mainly in the margins. Some edge wear consistent with age. Images remain clean with strong, attractive coloration.
Framing tips:
Best presented as a pair with matching frames and wide ivory mats. Dark wood or subtle gilt frames work particularly well. Hanging side-by-side creates a balanced and elegant composition.
Special note: This is an original antique engraving, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The prints are sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
