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Framed and on the wall
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Flora and Fauna
Antique Clove Botanical Print, Caryophyllus Aromaticus, Hand Colored, c.1831
£785
$1,050 · €940
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. An off-white mat and a dark wood or ebonized frame enhance the depth and historical character of the subject.
- Collection
- Flora and Fauna
- Period
- Raffles to the Cultivation System, 1800 to 1849
- Stock no.
- f_48074142
- 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 Clove Botanical Print, Caryophyllus Aromaticus, Hand Colored, c.1831
This strong and visually engaging botanical engraving illustrates Caryophyllus Aromaticus, the clove tree, including buds, flowers, and fruiting stages. Cloves were among the most valuable spices in global trade, closely associated with the Moluccas and the intense commercial rivalries of the colonial spice trade.
Published in Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate reflects the period’s focus on economically vital plants and their precise identification. The detailed rendering of the clove buds emphasizes their commercial value and botanical distinctiveness.
Original hand coloring brings warmth and contrast to the composition, with rich greens and earthy reds applied with care. This plate functions exceptionally well as a standalone statement piece and pairs naturally with other spice subjects such as nutmeg or cinnamon.
Condition report:
Moderate toning with some light discoloration to the paper. Image remains strong and clear.
Framing tips:
An off-white mat and a dark wood or ebonized frame enhance the depth and historical character of the subject.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831 to 1832
