Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Sea Spleenwort and Green Spleenwort Ferns, Antique Botanical Prints, 1873
$300 (£230, €270)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1873
- Size
- 9.6 × 5.5 in (24.4 × 14 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Light age toning and minor spotting consistent with age; overall clean and well preserved.
- Period
- Late 19th century
- Section
- Botanical
- Reference
- f_48031042
- 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.
Sea Spleenwort and Green Spleenwort Ferns, Antique Botanical Prints, 1873
Description:
This decorative pair of botanical engravings depicts two closely related British fern species, presented with elegant vertical fronds and finely hand-colored detail. The compositions are well balanced, with one plate offering a broader, fuller plant structure and the other a more upright, architectural silhouette, making them ideal as a coordinated wall pair.
Published in 1873 as part of Anne Pratt’s celebrated botanical series, these prints reflect the Victorian fascination with natural history and domestic botany. The soft green palette, crisp outlines, and subtle shading give the set strong decorative appeal while remaining scientifically accurate. Together, they work beautifully in both traditional and contemporary interiors, particularly where natural tones or organic themes are desired.
Collectors and interior designers alike value paired botanical prints for their visual rhythm and versatility, whether displayed side-by-side above furniture or stacked vertically in narrower wall spaces.
Condition:
Light age toning and minor spotting consistent with age; overall clean and well preserved.
Framing tips:
Ivory or pale sage matting with light oak or natural walnut frames for a fresh, botanical look.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: Anne Pratt, England, 1873
