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French Renaissance Costumes 1500s – Set of 6 Antique Prints, Published in 1880
$672.56per set
£498.19per set
€560per set
CA$920.23per set
A$1,001.28per set
CHF 530.17per set
MX$12,046.08per set
NOK 6,731.92per set
SEK 6,159.23per set
DKK 4,267.66per set
About the Item
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. Published in Berlin by Ernst Wasmuth A.G. and drawn by Max Tilke, one of the most respected costume illustrators of the early 20th century, these prints offer a vibrant and historically accurate record of noble, courtly, military, and civic fashions in France around 1500–1580. Their quality, precision, and decorative impact make them ideal for collectors, historians, and interior designers seeking authentic period imagery.
Each plate captures a different facet of French Renaissance society. You will find elegantly dressed noblewomen in elaborate gowns, courtiers in richly embroidered doublets, musicians and dancers, military officers, Landsknechts, civic figures, and high-ranking ladies in sumptuous brocades. The variety of textures, headdresses, fabrics, and ornament draws the viewer’s eye and reflects the extraordinary style innovations of the French courts under François I and Henri II.
The color lithography is crisp and nuanced, with graceful lines and subtle shading that preserve the character of the original watercolors. These plates have become desirable references for fashion historians and designers, while also serving as striking decorative artworks. Their refined presence makes them suitable for framing in libraries, dressing rooms, offices, boutique hotels, fashion ateliers, and period-inspired interiors.
This set is rarely found complete, and presents a remarkable opportunity to acquire a curated group with strong visual coherence and historical depth. The prints originate from an early 20th-century edition and retain excellent detail. They would be particularly appealing paired symmetrically in sets of two or three, or displayed as a full gallery wall.
CONDITION REPORT
Light overall toning consistent with age. Some minor edge wear to margins but far from the image area. Colors remain strong, well-preserved, and unfaded. Plate marks visible where applicable. No stains, tears, or distracting defects.
FRAMING SUGGESTION
These prints frame beautifully with an ivory or warm white mat and a thin black, gold, or dark wood moulding. For a more luxurious presentation, consider double matting with a subtle inner line matching tones from the garments, such as deep red, French blue, or muted olive. A symmetrical two-by-three arrangement creates an striking decorative wall.
TECHNIQUE / MAKER
Technique: Color lithograph
Maker: Max Tilke, Berlin, early 20th century
Publisher: Ernst Wasmuth A.G., Berlin
Keywords: french renaissance costumes, french costume prints, france 1500s clothing, antique fashion plates, renaissance nobility dress, landsknecht france, max tilke costume plates, ernst wasmuth berlin, 16th century clothing, antique prints france, historical fashion illustration, french royal court dress, decorative antique prints, interior design wall art, museum quality costume prints
- Dimensions:Height: 12.41 in (31.5 cm)Width: 9.26 in (23.5 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition: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.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13129-138, -139, etc1stDibs: LU3054347519482
About the Seller
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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.
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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...
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