Antique Olive Botanical Print, Olea Europaea, Hand Colored, c.1831
Description: This strong and highly decorative botanical engraving depicts Olea Europaea, the olive tree, shown with characteristic leaves and fruit. The olive has been a cornerstone of Mediterranean agriculture and commerce for millennia, valued for oil production, food, and symbolic meaning.
Issued as part of Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, the plate reflects the enduring economic importance of the olive in European trade and daily life. The composition balances botanical clarity with visual richness, making it one of the most desirable food-crop plates in the series.
Original hand coloring brings depth and warmth to the foliage and olives, giving the image excellent wall presence. This plate performs particularly well as a standalone statement piece or within a Mediterranean grouping.
Condition report: Moderate age-related toning and minor surface marks. Overall attractive and stable.
Framing tips: A warm cream mat and a natural wood or lightly antiqued frame enhance the classical character of the subject.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831–1832
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