About this sheet
Fly Agaric & Chanterelle Mushrooms – Antique Botanical Lithograph Set, 1885
This refined set of three large-format botanical lithographs illustrates a celebrated selection of European mushrooms, combining scientific precision with strong decorative appeal. Published in 1885, the plates depict several of the most recognisable fungi species, including the iconic Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), the prized Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), and related Russula, Lactarius, and Amanita varieties.
The prints were produced under the direction of Dr. Wilhelm Fünfstück, a respected late 19th-century botanist and academic associated with the Royal Polytechnic Institute in Stuttgart. Fünfstück’s work is particularly admired for its ability to balance rigorous botanical observation with visual harmony, making his illustrations equally compelling as scientific documents and as works of art.
Each lithograph displays carefully rendered cap forms, gill structures, and textures, brought to life through a rich palette of reds, ochres, greens, and warm neutrals. The compositions are well balanced, allowing the plates to function beautifully as a cohesive triptych while remaining strong individual images in their own right. Together, the three prints create a visually engaging rhythm, ideal for display above a sofa, sideboard, or in a library or dining setting.
The set retains the original central vertical fold to each sheet, as issued, reflecting their original publication format. Offered unframed, these prints are well suited to custom framing and present an elegant choice for collectors, interior designers, and enthusiasts of botanical art and natural history.
Condition report:
Good antique condition. Light age-related toning consistent with late 19th-century lithographs. Each sheet shows a central vertical fold, as issued. Minor handling wear at the margins; no major damage or restoration observed.
Framing tips:
This set works particularly well framed uniformly with generous ivory or parchment mats and dark walnut, ebonised, or muted gilt frames. Displayed as a horizontal triptych, the plates create a strong, cohesive focal point; alternatively, they may be framed individually for a more flexible interior arrangement.
Technique: Lithograph
Maker: Dr. Wilhelm Fünfstück, Germany, 1885
