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Greenlanders (Inuit Family) – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Greenlanders (Inuit Family) – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
This finely hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Groenlanders” depicts Inuit (Greenlandic) people in ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Esquimaux (Inuit) Hunters – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Esquimaux (Inuit) Hunters – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
This dramatic and finely hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Esquimoos” depicts Inuit (historically ca...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Creek People of North America – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Creek People of North America – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
This detailed and beautifully hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Creeks” depicts members of the I...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Mexican Indigenous People – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Mexican Indigenous People – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
This richly hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Mexicanen” depicts Indigenous people from Mexico in a ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Guiana Indigenous People – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Guiana Indigenous People – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
A striking and beautifully hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Guianers,” depicting Indigenous people f...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Residents of Quito, Ecuador – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Residents of Quito, Ecuador – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
This engaging and finely hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Inwoners van Quito” (“Residents of Quit...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Patagonians of Southern Argentina – Antique Hand-Colored Print c.1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Patagonians of Southern Argentina – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
This expressive and beautifully hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Patagoners” represents the...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Fuegians of Tierra del Fuego – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Fuegians of Tierra del Fuego – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
This rare and beautifully hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Vuurlanders” (“Fire-landers”) portray...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
Venice 16th-Century Costumes, Doge and Nobility, Antique Wasmuth Plate (c.1880)
Located in Langweer, NL
Venice 16th-Century Costumes, Doge and Nobility, Antique Wasmuth Plate (c.1880)
Description:
This original early-20th-century costume plate presents a richly detailed depiction of c...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Italian Renaissance Street Scenes — Set of 2 Decorative Engravings, ca.1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Italian Renaissance Street Scenes c.1880 — Set of 2 Decorative Engravings
A beautifully matched pair of original c.1880 engravings published by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G., Berlin, illustra...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Renaissance Spain Costume
Armour Print, 1880 Chromolithograph by Tilke
Located in Langweer, NL
Renaissance Spain Costume & Armour Print, 1900 Chromolithograph by Tilke
An original c.1900 chromolithograph published by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G. in Berlin, illustrating the richly deta...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Rare 1769 Tapir Trio – Original Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings
Located in Langweer, NL
Rare 1769 Tapir Trio – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings from Amsterdam Edition
This outstanding three-plate tapir set comes from the 1769 Amsterdam Dutch edition of Buffon’s Histoire...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Rare Barbary Sheep Engraving – Hand-Coloured Buffon Amsterdam Edition, 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Rare 1769 Barbary Sheep Engraving – Hand-Coloured Buffon Amsterdam Edition
This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving, titled Le Mouton de Barbarie (Plate XXXVIII from Tome ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Rare 1769 India Sheep
Ram Trio – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Set
Located in Langweer, NL
Rare 1769 India Sheep & Ram Trio – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Set
Description:
This exceptional trio of hand-coloured engravings of Indian sheep and rams comes from the scarce ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Rare 1769 Iceland Sheep Pair – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Amsterdam
Located in Langweer, NL
Rare 1769 Iceland Sheep Pair – Hand-Coloured Buffon Engravings Amsterdam
This superb pair of hand-coloured 18th-century engravings of the Icelandic sheep and ram, titled La Brebis d’Islande (Plate XXXII) and Le Bélier d’Islande (Plate XXXI), comes from the 1769 Amsterdam Dutch edition of Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle. These plates are among the most characterful and decorative images in the quadruped series, capturing the distinctive long-haired Icelandic breed with remarkable artistic sensitivity.
Drawn by Buffon’s celebrated illustrator Jacques de Sève and engraved with fine precision, each sheet presents an Icelandic sheep in a natural landscape, shown with rustic dwellings, hills, and the atmospheric grey skies of the North. The hand colouring of the Schneider edition is exceptionally appealing: warm chestnut and golden tones in the long wool, contrasted with soft greens and muted earth tones in the foreground. The engraver’s subtle linework in the facial features and horns brings great expression to these hardy northern animals.
The ewe, shown in Plate XXXII, stands with a slightly turned head, her long fleece rendered with delicate layered strokes. Small cottages and distant volcanic forms complete the landscape, nodding subtly to Iceland’s rugged environment. The ram, Plate XXXI, is even more striking, with dramatically curled horns and a powerful stance. His expression, posture, and thick coat combine to form one of the most distinctive animals in the Buffon series.
Together, the two plates form a natural pair—male and female, complementary compositions, matching landscapes, and identical framing proportions. When hung side by side, they create an elegant and balanced display that combines scientific illustration, pastoral charm, and 18th-century artistry.
Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle was one of the most influential natural history works of the Enlightenment, and the Amsterdam edition is particularly prized for its hand colouring and high production values. Icelandic sheep were of special interest to Buffon because of their adaptation to extreme climates, their unusual wool, and their cultural importance. These engravings remain among the earliest widely circulated images of the breed in Europe.
Condition report:
Very good condition for age. Clean sheets with wide margins and strong plate marks. Minor age toning and occasional small foxing spots, mostly in the margins. Hand colouring bright and well preserved. No tears, repairs, or stains affecting the image.
Framing tips:
Frame the pair together for maximum visual impact. Use warm cream or pale grey matting to complement the wool tones. Natural oak, walnut, or light gilt frames work beautifully with the earthy palette. Floating the sheets also highlights the generous margins and plate marks.
Keywords:
Iceland sheep engraving
Buffon 1769 Amsterdam
Jacques de Sève
hand coloured natural history
La Brebis d’Islande
Le Bélier d’Islande
antique farm animal prints...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Rare 1769 Hand-Coloured Moufflon Pair with Skeleton Plate from Buffon
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Zebu Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
Description:
This charming and beautifully hand-coloured engraving of the zebu, titled Le Zébu, comes from the rare...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Elegant Morvant Ram Engraving, Buffon Amsterdam Edition 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Elegant 1769 Morvant Ram Engraving – Hand-Coloured Buffon Dutch Edition
This impressive hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the Morvant ram, titled Le Morvant, comes from the rare Dutch edition of Buffon’s monumental Histoire Naturelle, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate XXX in Tome XI, this striking portrait is one of the most distinctive and decorative sheep and goat engravings in the entire Buffon series. Drawn by Jacques de Sève, Buffon’s leading illustrator, and engraved with great refinement, the plate combines scientific accuracy with a strong visual presence, typical of the finest work in the quadruped volumes.
The Morvant ram stands in full profile on a raised foreground bank, its powerful build, muscular legs, and long shaggy coat rendered with exquisite detail. De Sève’s elegant cross-hatching gives volume and texture to the thick wool and the dark mane that drapes down the animal’s chest. The curved horns, expressive eye, and firm stance emphasise both the strength and the calm dignity of the breed. The hand colouring, characteristic of the Amsterdam Schneider edition, enriches the engraving with warm brown tones, natural greens, and soft blues that bring the entire composition to life.
Behind the ram, a landscape of minarets, domed buildings, and distant walls evokes the North African or Near Eastern setting associated with ancient regional breeds. The broad sky, shaded in subtle blue-grey washes, anchors the scene and provides an atmospheric backdrop that complements the earthy foreground tones. As a result, the plate balances scientific illustration and picturesque landscape in a way that remains highly desirable for collectors and decorators alike.
Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle represented one of the most ambitious publishing achievements of the Enlightenment, combining zoological study with an artistic sensibility. The Morvant ram, a robust and historically important breed, was of particular interest for its adaptability, distinctive appearance, and long-standing role in agriculture and local culture. This engraving served as one of the earliest widely circulated visual records of the breed in Western Europe.
More than 250 years old, this sheet remains bright, clean, and visually engaging. The strong plate mark, generous margins, and refined hand colouring make it an excellent standalone artwork or a perfect companion to related Buffon plates such as the Tunis ram, zebu, buffalo, or yak.
Condition report:
Very good for age. Minor toning and small foxing marks mostly confined to margins. Light handling marks typical of 18th-century paper. Strong impression with clearly visible plate mark. Hand colouring fresh and well preserved. No tears or repairs observed.
Framing tips:
Frame with an ivory, pale grey, or warm cream mat to complement the soft colouring of the wool and sky. A walnut or natural oak frame enhances the warm tones, while a slim black frame creates a more modern contrast. Floating the sheet is an excellent option to highlight the wide margins and plate mark.
Keywords:
Morvant ram engraving
Buffon natural history
Amsterdam 1769
Jacques de Sève
hand coloured copper engraving
antique sheep print...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Elegant 18th-Century Zebu Engraving – Buffon Dutch Edition, 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Zebu Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
This charming and beautifully hand-coloured engraving of the zebu, titled Le Zébu, comes from the rare Dutch editio...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Set of 3 Antique Quadruped Anatomy Engravings, Buffon Scientific Plates 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Set of 3 Antique Quadruped Anatomy Engravings, Buffon Scientific Plates 1769
This fascinating set of three 18th-century anatomical engravings comes from the rare Dutch edition of Bu...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Powerful 18th-Century Bison Portrait – Hand-Coloured Buffon Print
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Buffalo Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the buffalo, titled Le Buffle, comes from the rare Dutch edition of Buffon’s celebrated Histoire Naturelle, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate XXV in Tome XI, the image was drawn by Jacques de Sève, Buffon’s principal illustrator, and engraved by C.J. Fritsch. The plate is one of the most appealing large mammal portraits in the Buffon series, notable for its expressive character, fine engraving, and warm, atmospheric colouring.
The buffalo stands in full profile on a grassy bank beneath a soft blue sky. Its muscular body, thick neck, and distinctive curved horns are rendered with precise cross-hatching, highlighting both strength and powerful form. The shaggy hair around the head and chest is drawn with exceptional sensitivity, giving the animal a lively, alert presence. Behind the buffalo, a distant landscape shows classical buildings, rolling hills, and soft vegetation—an elegant composition typical of de Sève, who often placed his subjects in idealised settings to evoke the exotic nature of these animals for 18th-century European audiences.
Hand colouring in the Schneider edition is among the finest of all Buffon printings. The warm browns of the buffalo’s coat...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Antique Buffalo Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Buffalo Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
This handsome hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the buffalo, titled Le Buffle, comes from the rare Dutch edition of Buffon’s celebrated Histoire Naturelle, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate XXV in Tome XI, the image was drawn by Jacques de Sève, Buffon’s principal illustrator, and engraved by C.J. Fritsch. The plate is one of the most appealing large mammal portraits in the Buffon series, notable for its expressive character, fine engraving, and warm, atmospheric colouring.
The buffalo stands in full profile on a grassy bank beneath a soft blue sky. Its muscular body, thick neck, and distinctive curved horns are rendered with precise cross-hatching, highlighting both strength and powerful form. The shaggy hair around the head and chest is drawn with exceptional sensitivity, giving the animal a lively, alert presence. Behind the buffalo, a distant landscape shows classical buildings, rolling hills, and soft vegetation—an elegant composition typical of de Sève, who often placed his subjects in idealised settings to evoke the exotic nature of these animals for 18th-century European audiences.
Hand colouring in the Schneider edition is among the finest of all Buffon printings. The warm browns of the buffalo’s coat...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Pair of Antique Camel Anatomy Engravings, Buffon Scientific Plates 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Pair of Antique Camel Anatomy Engravings, Buffon Scientific Plates 1769
This refined pair of 18th-century camel anatomy engravings comes from the Dutch edition of Buffon’s celebrate...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Antique Bactrian Camel Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Bactrian Camel Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
Description:
This beautifully hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the Bactrian camel, titled Le Chame...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Complete Set of 10 Camel Anatomy Engravings, Buffon Scientific Plates 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Complete Set of 10 Camel Anatomy Engravings, Buffon Scientific Plates 1769
This exceptional suite of ten original 18th-century anatomical engravings of the dromedary camel comes fro...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Antique Dromedary Camel Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Dromedary Camel Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
This beautifully hand-coloured 18th-century engraving of the dromedary camel, titled Le Dromadaire, comes from the Dutch edition of Buffon’s influential Histoire Naturelle, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate IX in Tome XI, this elegant image was drawn by Jacques de Sève, Buffon’s primary illustrator, and engraved by C.J. Fritsch. It is one of the most graceful and sought-after camel plates...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Antique Rhinoceros Horn Anatomy Engravings, Buffon Scientific Pair 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Rhinoceros Horn Anatomy Engravings, Buffon Scientific Pair 1769
Description:
This elegant pair of 18th-century anatomical engravings illust...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Striking Antique Rhinoceros Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Rare Antique Rhinoceros Engraving, Buffon Hand-Coloured Print Amsterdam 1769
Description:
This striking 18th-century engraving of the Indian rhinoceros, titled Le Rhinoceros, comes from the Dutch edition of Buffon’s monumental natural history, published in Amsterdam by J.H. Schneider in 1769. Appearing as Plate VII in Tome XI, this is one of the most dramatic and desirable mammal plates in the entire series. The image was drawn by Jacques de Sève, the principal artist for Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle, and engraved by C.J. Fritsch, whose finely controlled linework captures the heavy folds, armour-like hide, and distinctive single horn of Rhinoceros unicornis with remarkable accuracy.
Buffon’s description of the rhinoceros reflected the 18th century’s growing scientific curiosity about exotic species, and this plate reflects that fascination. The animal is shown standing solidly on a grassy bank against a pale sky and rocky cliff, a composition that emphasises both its mass and its rarity. De Sève’s rendering combines scientific observation with something of the romance and wonder that natural history imagery held for Enlightenment audiences. The armour-plated skin is depicted in sculptural relief through subtle cross-hatching, while carefully applied hand colouring enhances the deep greys, browns, and dusty pinks of the hide and landscape. As with all Schneider-edition plates, the colouring is richer, more transparent, and more refined than in many other continental versions of Buffon.
This engraving is an excellent example of 18th-century copperplate technique. The plate mark is clearly visible, the impression strong, and the proportions generous, with wide margins characteristic of the Amsterdam edition. The sheet forms a beautiful standalone artwork but also pairs exceptionally well with other large-format Buffon subjects such as the elephant, camel, or buffalo plates...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Sophisticated Elephant Anatomy Wall Set – Original Buffon Engravings, 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Elegant 1769 Elephant Anatomy Suite – Buffon Scientific Engravings Set of Six
Description:
This remarkable suite of six original 18th-century elephant anatomy engravings comes from ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Charming Elephant Pair, Antique Hand-Coloured Prints by Buffon, 1769
Located in Langweer, NL
Charming Elephant Pair, Antique Hand-Coloured Prints by Buffon, 1769
This impressive matched pair of 18th-century elephant engravings, depicting the male and female Asian elephant, ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints
Materials
Paper
Hand-Colored Print of Ancient American Figures, Pre-1500 Indigenous Art, ca.1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Hand-Colored 1900 Print of Ancient American Figures, Pre-1500 Indigenous Art
Description:
An original early 1900s chromolithograph published by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G. in Berlin, illust...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Hand-Colored 1900 Print of Moorish Costumes, 15th Century North Africa, ca.1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Hand-Colored 1900 Print of Moorish Costumes, 15th Century North Africa
A richly detailed original early 1900s chromolithograph depicting the traditional dress of the Moors (Mauren) ...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Inca Empire Costumes, Antique Lithograph of Inca Clothing, Max Tilke c.1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Aztec
Early Mexican Costumes, Set of 2 Antique Prints, 1500–1525
This striking pair of early 20th-century costume plates offers a vivid and historically valuable depiction of Aztec and early Mexican dress during the 16th century. Illustrated by Max Tilke and published by Ernst Wasmuth A.G. in Berlin, these prints belong to one of the most respected costume‐historical series of the period. Tilke was known for his meticulous research and his ability to translate ethnographic sources into richly detailed, accurate visual reconstructions. These two plates are among the most vibrant and desirable in the entire publication.
Plate 144 presents warriors and nobles in full ceremonial and military attire. Jaguar warriors, eagle warriors, officers, and elite fighters are shown with their distinctive feathered headdresses, painted shields, quilted cotton armor (ichcahuipilli), and symbolic iconography referencing Aztec cosmology and rank. The colors and patterns reflect authentic codex sources, making the plate particularly valuable to historians of pre-Columbian culture.
Plate 145 focuses on social classes and civilian dress from the late pre-Hispanic and early colonial period. Market vendors, weavers, young nobles, priests, and high-ranking women appear wearing garments such as tilmas, breechcloths, embroidered huipiles, feathered adornments, and body paint. Together, the two plates offer a rare, well-documented overview of everyday and ceremonial dress from Mexico around 1500–1525.
The printing quality is exceptionally fine, with rich color lithography capturing the tonal variations of feathers, textiles, and painted patterns. These plates make a powerful impression when framed and are well suited for collectors of ethnographic art, museum-oriented interiors, historians of Mesoamerica, and designers seeking authentic cultural references.
It is now uncommon to find both Mexican plates...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Aztec
Early Mexican Costumes, Set of 2 Antique Prints, 1500–1525, ca.1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Aztec & Early Mexican Costumes, Set of 2 Antique Prints, 1500–1525
This striking pair of early 20th-century costume plates offers a vivid and historically valuable depiction of Aztec and early Mexican dress during the 16th century. Illustrated by Max Tilke and published by Ernst Wasmuth A.G. in Berlin, these prints belong to one of the most respected costume‐historical series of the period. Tilke was known for his meticulous research and his ability to translate ethnographic sources into richly detailed, accurate visual reconstructions. These two plates are among the most vibrant and desirable in the entire publication.
Plate 144 presents warriors and nobles in full ceremonial and military attire. Jaguar warriors, eagle warriors, officers, and elite fighters are shown with their distinctive feathered headdresses, painted shields, quilted cotton armor (ichcahuipilli), and symbolic iconography referencing Aztec cosmology and rank. The colors and patterns reflect authentic codex sources, making the plate particularly valuable to historians of pre-Columbian culture.
Plate 145 focuses on social classes and civilian dress from the late pre-Hispanic and early colonial period. Market vendors, weavers, young nobles, priests, and high-ranking women appear wearing garments such as tilmas, breechcloths, embroidered huipiles, feathered adornments, and body paint. Together, the two plates offer a rare, well-documented overview of everyday and ceremonial dress from Mexico around 1500–1525.
The printing quality is exceptionally fine, with rich color lithography capturing the tonal variations of feathers, textiles, and painted patterns. These plates make a powerful impression when framed and are well suited for collectors of ethnographic art, museum-oriented interiors, historians of Mesoamerica, and designers seeking authentic cultural references.
It is now uncommon to find both Mexican plates...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
French Renaissance Costumes 1500s – Set of 6 Antique Prints, Published in 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
French Renaissance Costumes 1500s – Set of 6 Antique Prints
This exceptional set of six antique costume plates presents a richly detailed visual survey of French Renaissance dress during the first half of the 16th century...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
German Renaissance
Landsknecht Costumes 1500s – Set of 6 Antique Prints, 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Germany 1500–1600, Set of Six Antique Hand-Colored Renaissance Costume Prints
This exceptional set of six hand-colored costume plates presents a richly detailed visual history of German dress between 1500 and 1600, a century marked by artistic transformation, political upheaval, and the dramatic rise of the Landsknechts—Europe’s most flamboyant mercenary soldiers. Produced by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G. in Berlin after designs by Max Tilke, the series forms a cohesive and chronologically focused group illustrating both military and civilian fashion at the height of the German Renaissance.
Plate 121 (1500–1525) introduces early Renaissance styles through richly dressed townspeople, artisans, and vividly attired Landsknechts in striped hose, puffed sleeves, and slashed fabrics. Their bold silhouettes and vibrant colors reflect an era that embraced display, individuality, and martial confidence.
Plate 125 shifts attention to educated and urban society. Nobles, scholars, patricians, and elegantly dressed women appear in fitted gowns, fur-lined robes, tall hats, and structured outer garments typical of pre-Reformation Germany. This plate captures the rising influence of civic authority and intellectual life in cities such as Nuremberg and Augsburg.
Plate 128 brings us deeper into mid-16th-century fashion, featuring court musicians, entertainers, and courtiers in short doublets, decorative hose, lightweight cloaks, and feathered caps. A second grouping includes finely dressed nobles and diplomats, highlighting the refinement and ceremony of German court culture.
Plates 133, 134, and 135 together form an extraordinary triptych of Landsknecht fashion. These soldiers became famous across Europe for their exuberant and unconventional dress—massive slashed sleeves, multicolored fabrics, puffed shoulders, dagger-cut openings, exaggerated hose, and feathered hats. Represented here in various ranks and roles, the Landsknechts illustrate not only military history but also one of the boldest and most influential costume styles of the Renaissance. Their outfits remain some of the most recognizable in European fashion history.
As a complete six-plate group, these prints present a compelling narrative of German Renaissance society—its militarism, its artistic ambition, and its richly diverse clothing traditions. The hand-coloring across the set is bright and consistent, showcasing atmospheric tones, strong contrasts, and careful attention to detail. Few collections display this level of completeness and visual harmony.
Ideal for collectors of European history, early modern military culture, historical costume, or decorative antique prints with strong visual presence, this series also suits interior designers seeking classical themes, warm palettes, and refined historical character.
Condition report: All six plates are in very good antique condition with gentle age toning and minimal edge wear. Image areas are clean and colors remain vivid. Plate numbers and captions clearly present. No tears, staining, or repairs.
Framing suggestion: For a striking installation, frame the six plates in matching dark-stained or walnut frames with warm cream mats. They display beautifully in two rows of three, or as a vertical series of paired prints. Their strong color palette and rhythmic compositions create a dynamic yet elegant wall display.
Technique: Hand-colored lithographs
Maker: Max Tilke, printed by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G., Berlin, c.1880
Keywords: German Renaissance costumes, 1500s German clothing, Landsknecht soldiers, antique costume print, hand-colored lithograph, Max Tilke, Ernst Wasmuth Berlin, Renaissance fashion Germany, 16th century attire, historical dress Germany, court fashion 1500s, German nobles costumes, artisan clothing Renaissance...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Italy circa 1500, Antique Hand-Colored Renaissance Costume Print, Published 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Italy circa 1500, Antique Hand-Colored Renaissance Costume Print
Description:
This striking hand-colored costume plate presents a vivid and engaging view of Italian dress aro...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Italy 10th–16th Century, Set of Eight Antique Hand-Colored Costume Prints, 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Italy 10th–16th Century, Set of Eight Antique Hand-Colored Costume Prints
This impressive set of eight hand-colored costume plates offers a sweeping visual history of Italian dress ...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Burgundian Renaissance-Era Costume, 15th Century Antique Print, Published c.1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Burgundy 15th Century, Antique Hand-Colored Costume Print
This richly detailed hand-colored costume plate offers a vivid look into the elegant and highly distinctive dress of Burgun...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
France 15th Century, Pair of Antique Hand-Colored Costume Prints, Published 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
France 15th Century, Pair of Antique Hand-Colored Costume Prints
This beautifully matched pair of hand-colored costume plates presents a vibrant and detailed view of French fashion ...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
Materials
Paper
Great Britain 1300–1500 Costume Plate, Antique Hand-Colored Print, ca.1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Great Britain 1300–1500, Antique Hand-Colored Medieval Costume Print
This finely rendered antique costume plate offers a detailed and elegant overview of British dress between 1300 and 1500, a period defined by the late Middle Ages and the early beginnings of the English Renaissance. Drawn by Max Tilke and printed by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G. in Berlin, the plate captures a wide range of English social types, from armored knights to noblewomen, courtiers, and urban citizens. The hand-coloring is soft yet vibrant, giving the figures a distinct presence while retaining the scholarly clarity of the original publication.
The upper register depicts individuals from the 14th and early 15th centuries. On the left, two armored figures represent the martial culture of medieval England, complete with shields, chainmail, and transitional plate armor. Beside them stands a queen or noblewoman in a red gown trimmed with ermine. Young courtiers and ladies-in-waiting follow, wearing fitted gowns, long sleeves, and elegantly draped fabrics typical of the period.
The lower register moves toward the 15th century, showing the growing influence of continental fashion. A richly dressed courtier in purple robes gestures toward a noblewoman wearing a tightly fitted gown and headdress. Other figures illustrate the evolution of English headwear, from wimples and veils to the early forms of the gable hood. At far right, a colorfully dressed gentleman with a feathered hat reflects the increasing individuality and flourish that characterized late medieval wardrobes.
This plate is of particular interest to collectors of medieval art, historical costume, or British history. The composition offers an engaging perspective on changing silhouettes, materials, and social roles in pre-Tudor England. It makes a superb display piece for libraries, offices, studies, and historically inspired interiors.
Condition report: Good antique condition with gentle age toning. Minor edge wear and a few faint spots in the margins. Image area clean with vivid hand-coloring. No tears or repairs.
Framing tips: Pair with a cream or parchment mat and a dark wood frame to accentuate the medieval palette. A thin gilt frame provides a more formal, museum-like presentation. Floating the sheet preserves the imprint and strengthens the antique character.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Max Tilke, printed by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G., Berlin, c.1880
Keywords: Great Britain 1300–1500, medieval British fashion, English costume history, antique print, hand-colored lithograph, Max Tilke, Ernst Wasmuth, 14th century fashion, 15th century fashion, medieval clothing, British nobility dress, English knights, medieval women’s clothing, historical costume plate, Renaissance transition, decorative wall art, collectible antique print, medieval attire, English social classes, court dress, historical illustration
IDENTIFICATION OF HISTORICAL PERIOD & SOCIAL CLASSES
Historical period:
– Late Middle Ages (1300–1450)
– Early Renaissance influence in England (1450–1500)
Social classes depicted:
– Knights and military retainers
– Noblewomen and queens
– Courtiers and high-status officials
– Upper-middle-class citizens
– Well-to-do urban residents
– Ladies-in-waiting and attendants
IDENTIFICATION OF COSTUME TYPES SHOWN
Costume types include:
– Transitional plate and chainmail armor
– Heraldic shields and knightly attire
– Long medieval gowns...
Category
Antique 1880s German Prints
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