Europe · 19th century
€ 279
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Overall in very good condition for age. Light, even age-toning to the paper consistent with late 19th-century production. Minor handling wear at the outer margins. Strong color retention.
Antique German Botanical Atlas Plates, Tafel 11–12, 1885
A beautifully composed pair of double-page botanical plates (Tafel 11 and Tafel 12) from M. Fünfstück’s celebrated Naturgeschichte des Pflanzenreichs, published in Stuttgart circa 1890. These richly detailed plates originate from the fifth edition of this important German botanical atlas, designed for both educational and domestic appreciation.
Tafel 11 presents an extensive survey of lichens and mosses, carefully numbered and identified below in German and Latin. The composition is dynamic yet orderly, displaying intricate growth forms with remarkable clarity. Tafel 12 focuses on ferns, horsetails, clubmosses, and related plants, including elegant full-page representations of Blechnum, Asplenium, Adiantum, and Equisetum species. The larger fern forms contrast beautifully with the delicate structural studies, creating strong decorative balance when framed.
These plates are original hand-coloured wood engravings from the year of publication, not later reproductions. The colouring remains fresh and nuanced, with soft greens and muted earth tones characteristic of late 19th-century German botanical illustration. The double-page format enhances their impact, making them particularly suitable for interior display.
Such botanical atlases were produced during a period of intense scientific curiosity and educational reform in Germany, combining precision with aesthetic refinement. Today they appeal equally to collectors of natural history, designers seeking organic decorative elements, and those curating academic or botanical-themed interiors.
The prints are offered unframed, enabling custom framing to personal or interior preferences. Any framed images shown are for visual inspiration only.
Condition report:
Overall in very good condition for age. Light, even age-toning to the paper consistent with late 19th-century production. Minor handling wear at the outer margins. Strong color retention. Clean surfaces without significant foxing visible in the images.
Framing tips:
These double-page plates benefit from generous matting (6–8 cm) in warm off-white or light ivory to enhance the antique paper tone. A dark walnut or black frame creates elegant contrast and works beautifully in Scandinavian, classical, or botanical-themed interiors. They also pair well in symmetrical arrangements due to their similar format and palette.
Technique: Hand-colored wood engraving
Maker: M. Fünfstück, Stuttgart, circa 1890
