About this sheet
This refined pair of chromolithographs, produced in Munich in 1874 by the renowned workshop of F. X. Zettler, presents two richly detailed studies of ecclesiastical objects from the treasury of the Reiche Kapelle (Rich Chapel) in the Munich Residenz. Issued during the reign of King Ludwig II of Bavaria as part of the celebrated portfolio Ausgewählte Kunstwerke aus dem Schatze der Reichen Capelle in der königlichen Residenz zu München, these prints were created to document and disseminate the artistic and ceremonial splendor of Bavaria’s royal sacred collections.
This plates are offered unframed, allowing the buyer full freedom of framing choice.
The first plate depicts an ornate reliquary ensemble, including devotional objects presented in a museum-like arrangement that emphasizes craftsmanship, precious materials, and symbolic iconography. The careful rendering highlights intricate enamel decoration, gilded surfaces, and the architectural structure of the reliquary forms, demonstrating the high level of detail achieved through chromolithography.
The second plate presents an arrangement of liturgical vessels and ceremonial objects, including chalice-like forms and sacred containers displayed in a formal composition reminiscent of nineteenth-century scholarly catalogs. The composition reflects the historicist aesthetic prevalent in Bavaria during the later nineteenth century, combining reverence for medieval tradition with precise academic documentation.
F. X. Zettler’s Munich workshop was internationally recognized for its mastery of chromolithographic printing, a process that allowed the accurate reproduction of complex polychrome decoration and metallic surfaces. These prints were intended both as documentary records and as inspirational references for artists, architects, designers, and collectors interested in ecclesiastical art and historic ornament.
Presented together as a pair, the plates create a visually balanced ensemble. The contrasting formats — one more compact and icon-like, the other broader and horizontally arranged — produce a harmonious dialogue between vertical and horizontal compositions, making the set particularly suitable for interior display. The pair appeals to collectors of religious art, Gothic revival and historicist design, Bavarian royal history, and nineteenth-century chromolithography, while also offering strong decorative presence for curated interiors.
Condition report: Age-related toning to margins with scattered foxing typical for nineteenth-century paper; images remain clear with strong color and good overall presentation.
Framing tips: Display in matching dark wood or gilt frames with wide ivory mats; maintain equal outer dimensions to create visual balance despite differing internal compositions. These plates are offered unframed, allowing the buyer full freedom of framing choice.
