Framed Antique Colour Litho Print

Antique colour lithograph from Auguste Racinet’s L’Ornement Polychrome, published in Paris by Firmin-Didot, circa 1875, with accompanied French text verso. The plate is titled in three languages across the top, presents a richly decorative study of East Asian ornament.

The main upper panel shows a vivid textile-inspired design on a golden yellow ground, filled with sinuous four-clawed dragons, scrolling green vines, peonies, butterflies, cloud forms, and stylized floral motifs. The composition is highly ornamental, with crisp white outlining and strong contrasting colours that imitate the luminous effect of woven silk. Below, a series of smaller decorative panels display additional Chinese and Japanese motifs, including geometric crests, cloud scrolls, floral borders, and a central black-ground design with a red circular longevity-style emblem. Mesmerising.