Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look, drawn to its real size; it is sold unframed unless the description says otherwise.
Flora and Fauna
Antique Black Pepper Botanical Print, Piper Nigrum, Hand Colored, c.1831
£630
$840 · €750
Original print, not a reproduction
Ships worldwide from the Netherlands, insured and tracked. 14-day returns.
- Date
- 1831
- Sheet size
- 10.7 × 8.9 in (27.1 × 22.7 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Moderate age toning with minor spotting. Overall attractive and stable.
- Collection
- Flora and Fauna
- Period
- Raffles to the Cultivation System, 1800 to 1849
- Stock no.
- f_48072902
- Color
- Hand colored
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.
Antique Black Pepper Botanical Print, Piper nigrum, Hand Colored, c.1831
Description:
This finely composed botanical engraving depicts Piper nigrum, the black pepper plant, one of the most influential spices in global trade history. The plate shows the climbing habit of the plant with carefully rendered leaves and fruit clusters, providing both botanical clarity and decorative appeal.
As part of Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the image documents a commodity that played a decisive role in shaping early modern exploration, colonial expansion, and international commerce. Pepper was a staple of European kitchens and a driver of long-distance trade networks linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The original hand coloring is subtle and well judged, with layered greens that give the foliage depth without overwhelming the composition. This plate works exceptionally well as a standalone piece or alongside other spice-related subjects.
Condition report:
Moderate age toning with minor spotting. Overall attractive and stable.
Framing tips:
A warm cream mat and a medium-toned wood frame complement the natural palette of the engraving.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831 to 1832
