Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1815
Mapmaker / artist
Jules Ferrario, Milan, 1815
Technique
Hand-colored copper engraving (published plate)
Sheet size
35.4 × 24.4 cm (13.9 × 9.6 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13000-14 & BG-13000-24
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
Good antique condition. Mild overall toning and light scattered foxing/spotting, mainly in the margins. Embossed collector’s stamp visible. Plate mark visible. Minor edge wear consistent with age.
This striking pair of original early-19th-century hand-colored prints presents two complementary views of imperial authority in China: a formal group of court officials (with a richly robed central figure and attendant holding a ceremonial fan), and an armored guard posed before a fortress tower with soldiers and standards in the background. The images balance portrait-like costume detail with narrative context, making them especially decorative as a coordinated two-piece wall set.
Issued in 1815 from Jules Ferrario’s celebrated costume and ethnographic publication Le Costume Ancien et Moderne, these plates reflect Europe’s fascination with Asian court culture at the height of the Empire/Regency period. The palette is restrained yet vivid—jade greens, soft grays, and imperial yellows—designed to read beautifully from a distance while still rewarding close viewing with fine costume patterning, accessories, and military equipment. Together, they create a clean “power and pageantry” theme without repeating the same scene, ideal for an interior designer looking for harmony across a pair.
These are original antiques (not reproductions) and are offered unframed, allowing you to select framing that best suits your interior.
Condition report: Good antique condition. Mild overall toning and light scattered foxing/spotting, mainly in the margins. Embossed collector’s stamp visible. Plate mark visible. Minor edge wear consistent with age.
Framing tips: For a Jakarta / Kempinski-style look: pair both in dark walnut or matte black frames with generous ivory mats to emphasize the refined colors and the wide margins. A slightly deeper frame profile elevates the “gallery” feel; consider museum glass to keep the pale washes crisp. Hanging as a tight diptych with equal spacing creates a strong, tailored rhythm.
