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, 1831–1832
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.