Antique Gamboge Botanical Print Garcinia Cambogia, 1831

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Antique Gamboge Botanical Print, Garcinia Cambogia, Hand Colored, c.1831 This original botanical engraving depicts Garcinia Cambogia, a tropical tree valued … Read more Antique Gamboge Botanical Print, Garcinia Cambogia, Hand Colored, c.1831 This original botanical engraving depicts Garcinia Cambogia, a tropical tree valued for producing gamboge, a bright yellow resin widely used in painting, dyeing, and early industrial applications. The plate presents the plant with foliage and fruit, emphasizing the material source rather than ornamental display. The image originates from Jonathan Carl Zenker’s Merkantilische Waarenkunde, a publication devoted to plants of mercantile and industrial importance. Gamboge was a key commodity in the trade of pigments and coloring agents, particularly valued by artists and manufacturers in Europe. Original hand coloring is carefully applied, highlighting the fruit with warm yellow tones against restrained green foliage. The result is an intellectually engaging plate with quiet decorative strength, appealing to collectors of art materials, pigments, and trade history. Condition report: Moderate age-related toning and light surface soiling. No tears or losses. Framing tips: A soft off-white or parchment mat with a dark wood frame complements the industrial and artistic associations of the subject. Technique: Copper engraving with original hand coloring Maker: Jonathan Carl Zenker, Germany, 1831–1832 See less