Europe as a Whole · 18th century
€ 159
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good impression with light age-related toning and some foxing. Plate mark visible, strong paper with full margins.
Queen Eleanor Memorial Cross – Antique Engraving of Waltham Cross, c.1791
This finely executed antique engraving depicts the Eleanor Cross at Waltham, one of the twelve monumental crosses erected by King Edward I in memory of his wife, Queen Eleanor of Castile, who died in 1290. The cross, designed in the rich Gothic style, is shown here as it appeared in 1791, with intricate sculptural detail including statues within niches, pointed trefoil arches, and decorative tracery. Its weathered stone surface and the surrounding rustic buildings evoke both the medieval origins of the monument and the historical landscape in which it stood.
Engraved by James Basire (1730–1802), an eminent British engraver known for his precision in architectural and antiquarian subjects, this work is based on a drawing by Jacob Schnebbelie (1760–1792), an artist celebrated for recording Britain’s historic buildings and monuments for the Society of Antiquaries. Created around 1790, the print belongs to a significant period of antiquarian interest, when artists and scholars sought to document the nation’s medieval heritage.
Waltham Cross is one of only three surviving Eleanor Crosses, making it an important historic landmark and a symbol of enduring medieval craftsmanship. This engraving captures the monument before later restorations, preserving valuable architectural detail for historians and collectors alike.
Condition: Very good impression with light age-related toning and some foxing. Plate mark visible, strong paper with full margins.
Framing tips: A dark oak or walnut frame with a warm cream mat would enhance the engraving’s tonal depth and highlight its Gothic architectural details.
Overall size: 32.5 x 50 cm.
Image size: 0.001 x 29 x 45 cm.
