About this sheet
Antique German Botanical Atlas Plates, Tafel 13–14, Ferns & Conifers, 1885
A striking pair of original double-page botanical plates (Tafel 13 and Tafel 14) from M. Fünfstück’s important German botanical atlas Naturgeschichte des Pflanzenreichs, published in Stuttgart circa 1885. These plates originate from the fifth edition of this richly illustrated educational work, combining scientific precision with decorative visual appeal.
Tafel 13 presents a carefully arranged study of ferns and related plants, including Polypodium, Osmunda, and other classic fern species rendered with clarity and elegant botanical detail. The composition balances larger specimen studies with smaller structural illustrations, creating a visually harmonious sheet ideal for display. Tafel 14 contrasts beautifully with a survey of conifers and gymnosperms, featuring Taxus, Juniperus, Pinus, and other evergreen species alongside cones, seeds, and botanical structures. The combination of soft greens, earthy tones, and subtle hand colouring gives the prints a refined natural palette.
These are original hand-coloured wood engravings from the year of publication, not later reproductions. The double-page format enhances their visual presence and makes them particularly suitable for interior decoration, whether displayed as a pair or integrated into a larger botanical wall arrangement.
German botanical atlases of this period were designed to merge scientific education with aesthetic appreciation, and today they appeal strongly to collectors of natural history prints, designers seeking organic decorative themes, and those creating botanical or Scandinavian-inspired 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:
Very good condition overall with light, even age-toning typical for late 19th-century paper. Minor handling wear at margins. Colours remain fresh and attractive. Clean impressions with no significant foxing visible.
Framing tips:
Use a generous ivory or warm off-white mat to highlight the antique paper tone. Dark walnut or black frames provide elegant contrast and work well in modern minimalist, classic, or botanical interiors. The two plates pair naturally due to similar layout and palette, making them ideal as a symmetrical display.
Technique: Hand-colored wood engraving
Maker: M. Fünfstück, Stuttgart, circa 1885
