Overview
The print features clear in-plate inscriptions 'L. Tessier del. ' and 'Avril l'ainé Sculp. ', identifying the draughtsman as Louis Tessier and the engraver as Jean-Jacques Avril.
Identification
18th-Century Hand-Colored Botanical Engraving, Plate 5, by L. Tessier & J.J. Avril
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Story
Louis Tessier (1719–1781) was a prominent French botanical draughtsman, and Jean-Jacques Avril the Elder (1744–1831) was a highly regarded engraver. This plate originates from a late 18th-century French folio, likely 'Livre de Corbeilles et Vases de Fleurs', which catered to the era's fascination with formal floral arrangements. The market for 18th-century botanical engravings is steady but highly bifurcated.
Maker / Origin
Louis Tessier (Draughtsman) & Jean-Jacques Avril (Engraver)
Condition & Value
Based on the visible evidence, the engraving appears in good condition with vibrant hand-coloring and a distinct plate mark. There is no severe foxing, staining, or tearing immediately visible in the primary image area. The presence of original margins and the overall state of the paper will ultimately dictate the final grade.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The market for 18th-century botanical engravings is steady but highly bifurcated. High-end interior designers and specialist collectors pay significant premiums at retail galleries, while secondary market buyers on platforms like eBay or mid-tier auctions look for decorative value at lower price points. Hand-colored plates from recognized folios maintain consistent demand as traditional wall décor.
Value Drivers
▲ In-plate signatures of Tessier and Avril confirm the specific lineage and artists.
▲ Distinct plate mark verifies the piece as a genuine intaglio engraving.
▲ Vibrant hand-coloring significantly enhances the item's decorative appeal.
Concerns
▼ Unverified sheet dimensions — trimmed margins would reduce collector value compared to a full-sheet example.
▼ Unverified watermarks — lack of period watermarks could raise questions about the exact printing date.
Best Venue
To maximize return, list this on a curated secondary marketplace like Chairish or eBay, targeting decorative arts buyers. Ensure the listing explicitly highlights the in-plate signatures and the clear plate mark to assure buyers of its authenticity as an intaglio print rather than a modern reproduction.
Upside Potential
If the sheet is untrimmed with full original margins and a verifiable 18th-century watermark is present, the piece could appeal to specialist print collectors, pushing the value toward the absolute top of the FMV range.
Authenticity Risk
mediumWhile the distinct plate mark strongly suggests a genuine intaglio print rather than a modern flat lithograph or reproduction, 18th-century plates were sometimes restruck in the 19th or 20th centuries. Verifying the paper's watermark and chain lines is recommended to confirm it is a period-original strike rather than a later impression.
▾Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 2 comps
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.
Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 2 comps
- Sanders of OxfordJean-Jacques Avril after Louis Tessier: Le Livre de Corbeilles de Fleurs [Plates 1-6]Link could not be verified.$3,000
- Potomack Company· 2019-11-21JEAN-JACQUES AVRIL (FRENCH, 1744-1823/31) L'EMPEREUR CLAUDE and SEXTUS POMPEE BY B. TAUREL along with descriptions. Engraving: 22 1/..Portrait/historical engraving, not a botanical subject.$50