Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Antique Cardamom Botanical Print, Elettaria & Amomum Species, c.1831
£795 ($1,050, €940)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1831
- Size
- 10.7 × 8.9 in (27.1 × 22.7 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Moderate toning and light foxing, consistent with age. Image remains crisp.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Section
- Botanical
- Reference
- f_48093692
- Colour
- Hand coloured
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 Cardamom Botanical Print, Elettaria & Amomum Species, c.1831
Description:
This complex botanical engraving illustrates two cardamom species, including Elettaria cardamomum and Amomum cardamomum, with rhizomes, flowers, seed pods, and sectional details. Cardamom was one of the most valuable spices in global trade, prized for its aroma and medicinal properties.
Published in Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate exemplifies the publication’s strength in combining scientific clarity with visual richness. The composition is dynamic and highly decorative, making it one of the standout spice plates in the series.
Original hand coloring is rich yet controlled, particularly in the green stems and warm seed pods, giving the plate strong wall presence.
Condition report:
Moderate toning and light foxing, consistent with age. Image remains crisp.
Framing tips:
An ivory mat with a dark wood or black frame emphasizes contrast and depth.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831–1832
