Vierlande Traditional Costume, near Hamburg, Northern Germany, c.1875
€ 240
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1875
Mapmaker / artist
Albert Kretschmer (after), Leipzig, c.1875
Technique
Chromolithography
Sheet size
31.5 × 25.5 cm (12.4 × 10.0 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14222-26
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
Very good condition. Light age toning to margins, minimal spotting, colors fresh and well preserved.
About this sheet
Vierlande Traditional Costume, near Hamburg, Northern Germany, c.1875
This finely colored chromolithograph depicts traditional costume from Vierlande, a historic rural region located in the Elbe marshlands southeast of Hamburg. The figures are shown wearing the characteristic regional dress of the area, distinguished by structured bodices, aprons, and the striking white head coverings typical of Vierlande women’s costume in the 19th century.
Vierlande was known for its prosperous agricultural communities and a strong sense of local identity, which was expressed most clearly through traditional dress worn for church, festive occasions, and public life. Although visually reminiscent of Dutch regional costume, Vierlande attire is firmly rooted in Northern German tradition and should not be confused with dress from the Netherlands.
The print was produced in the mid-1870s after drawings by Albert Kretschmer and published by J. G. Bach in Leipzig as part of an influential series documenting European regional costumes. Kretschmer’s work is valued for its ethnographic accuracy as well as its refined decorative quality, making these plates highly sought after by collectors, institutions, and interior designers.
This example works particularly well as a stand-alone decorative piece, while also fitting seamlessly into collections focused on German, Northern European, or ethnographic costume history.
CONDITION: Very good condition. Light age toning to margins, minimal spotting, colors fresh and well preserved.
FRAMING AND MATTING SUGGESTIONS: Dark walnut or black frame paired with an off-white or light linen museum board mat; a slightly textured mat enhances the crisp contrast of the white headwear.
