Antique Fern Botanical Print | Cyclopeltis Semicordata

Antique Fern Botanical Print | Cyclopeltis Semicordata

A genuine antique botanical print of Cyclopeltis semicordata, a fern species, hand-colored and printed in the 1870s. This original lithograph, Plate III, Volume 6, comes from a Victorian-era fern book, from a time when "pteridomania," or fern fever, swept Britain and fine botanical publishing flourished.

The print shows a detailed fern frond with rich green fronds and dark, textured spore clusters, or sori, running along the veins, alongside a smaller secondary frond for scale and contrast. The engraving quality captures every serration and vein with remarkable precision. This is an authentic antique page, not a modern reproduction, full of the natural age, texture, and character of a piece over one hundred and fifty years old.

Country of Origin: England
Estimated Date: 1870s
Material: Original antique hand-colored lithograph, Plate III, Volume 6
Dimensions: 10" L × 6½" W

Condition
Good antique condition, consistent with a print of this age. Minor toning, foxing, or edge wear may be present, which is expected of an original page over 150 years old. These honest imperfections contribute to the authenticity and character of the piece and do not detract from its beauty or display quality. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description. (Note: the accompanying photo showing six botanical prints together is color-accurate.)

Collected Notes
The mid-to-late nineteenth century saw an extraordinary wave of enthusiasm for ferns across England, a craze so widespread it earned its own name: pteridomania. Botanical illustrators of the period produced detailed hand-colored lithographic plates documenting the astonishing variety of frond shapes, textures, and structures found across fern species, many of which were bound into multi-volume reference sets. Genuine plates from these volumes, like this one, offer a direct window into that Victorian fascination with the natural world.

Why We Collected It
We were drawn to this plate for its exceptional engraving quality--every serration, vein, and spore cluster rendered with remarkable precision. Paired with a smaller secondary frond for scale, it is exactly the kind of scientifically thoughtful, beautifully rendered botanical print that rewards a closer look and adds real depth to a curated collection.

Styling Inspiration
Frame this print simply, in a slim black or natural wood frame with generous matting, and hang it alongside other botanical plates for an evolving gallery wall. It also makes a lovely standalone piece in a reading nook, powder room, or home office, and pairs beautifully with antique natural history prints, pressed botanicals, or vintage garden tools for a collected, naturalist-inspired look.

*Note: This is an unframed art piece. Please inquire for pricing on framing options.