About this sheet
Antique Palm Tree Botanical Print, Exotic Tropical Plate, German Atlas 1885
An impressive original double-page botanical plate (Tafel 21) from M. Fünfstück’s important late 19th-century atlas Naturgeschichte des Pflanzenreichs, published in Stuttgart circa 1885. This plate originates from the fifth edition of the work and presents a striking study of palm species and related tropical plants.
The composition features detailed renderings of Cocos nucifera (coconut palm), Phoenix dactylifera (date palm), Sagus farinifera, and Copernicia cerifera, accompanied by carefully illustrated fruits, seeds, and botanical structures. The elegant verticality of the palms creates a strong architectural rhythm across the sheet, while the finely hand-coloured fronds display nuanced tonal variations in green and muted earth hues.
The large coconut cross-section and clusters of dates provide visual focal points, adding both botanical clarity and decorative appeal. The combination of scientific precision and exotic subject matter makes this plate particularly attractive for interior display, especially in tropical, colonial, or botanical-themed settings.
These are original hand-coloured wood engravings from the year of publication, not later reproductions. The double-page folio format enhances its visual presence and makes it highly suitable for framing as a statement piece.
German botanical atlases of this period were designed to merge education with aesthetic refinement. Today, plates featuring palms and tropical species are especially sought after by collectors of natural history, interior designers, and those curating refined coastal or colonial-inspired interiors.
The print is offered unframed, enabling custom framing to personal or interior preferences. Any framed images shown are for visual inspiration only.
Condition report:
Very good overall condition with light, even age-toning consistent with late 19th-century paper. Minor marginal handling wear typical of bound plates. Colours remain fresh and well preserved. No significant foxing visible.
Framing tips:
This plate benefits from a generous warm ivory or soft off-white mat (6–8 cm) to enhance the antique paper tone. A dark walnut, black, or subtly gilded frame works particularly well, emphasizing the vertical palm forms and creating a refined statement piece for botanical or tropical-themed interiors.
Technique: Hand-colored wood engraving
Maker: M. Fünfstück, Stuttgart, circa 1885
