Original Botanical Prints · Herbs, spices & useful plants
Antique Botanical Print of Thea Chinensis, Hand Colored, c.1831
No. f_48074162183122.7 × 27.1 cm
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.
Herbs, spices & useful plants
Antique Botanical Print of Thea Chinensis, Hand Colored, c.1831
$1,220
€1,090 · £925
Original print, not a reproduction
Ships worldwide from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked. 14-day returns. To buy, use Ask a question (info@originalbotanicalprints.com) and we will reserve it for you.
- Date
- 1831
- Sheet size
- 10.7 × 8.9 in (27.1 × 22.7 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Moderate toning and surface marks consistent with age. Image remains clear and intact.
- Collection
- Herbs, spices & useful plants
- Era
- 1800 to 1849, The golden age of botanical art
- Stock no.
- f_48074162
- 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 Tea Botanical Print, Thea Chinensis, Hand Colored, c.1831
This elegant botanical engraving depicts Thea chinensis, the tea plant, one of the most influential commodities in global economic and cultural history. The composition presents the plant with refined clarity, highlighting leaves and branching structure essential to understanding tea cultivation.
The plate comes from Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, a publication aimed at documenting plants that shaped international trade. Tea was central to commerce between Asia and Europe and played a defining role in colonial policy, taxation, and consumption habits.
Original hand coloring is delicately applied, emphasizing the fresh greens of the foliage while maintaining a restrained, sophisticated appearance. The vertical format and balanced design give the plate excellent decorative presence, making it particularly desirable for both collectors and interior designers.
Condition report:
Moderate age-related toning and minor surface marks. No damage or losses.
Framing tips:
A pale ivory or light grey mat with a simple dark wood or black frame provides a refined contrast.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring
Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831 to 1832
