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Identification

Hand-Colored Botanical Engraving by Jean-Jacques Avril after Louis Tessier

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

The print features clear in-plate inscriptions 'L. Tessier del. ' and 'Avril l'ainé Sculp. ', identifying the original artist as Louis Tessier and the engraver as Jean-Jacques Avril the elder.

Story

Louis Tessier (c. 1719-1781) was a celebrated flower painter to King Louis XV of France, known for his designs for the Gobelins tapestry manufactory. Jean-Jacques Avril (1744-1831) was a prominent French engraver who translated many of Tessier's bouquets into copperplate engravings, most notably for the 'Livre de Corbeilles et Vases de Fleurs'. These original copper plates survived for centuries, allowing institutions like the Chalcographie du Louvre to produce authorized restrikes well into the 20th century.

Maker / Origin

After Jean-Jacques Avril (after Louis Tessier)

Condition & Value

The print exhibits strong plate marks and clear inscriptions, indicating a solid impression. The hand-coloring appears vibrant and carefully applied, though it is difficult to determine from photos alone if it is contemporary to the printing or added later.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

Botanical prints from the 18th and 19th centuries remain a staple of traditional interior decoration. The market is highly bifurcated: true 18th-century impressions on laid paper command strong premiums from collectors and specialist dealers. Conversely, the market is heavily populated with 20th-century restrikes (often stamped 'France' or printed on modern wove paper) which trade purely as decorative objects at accessible price points.

Value Drivers

▲ Clear in-plate signatures for both Louis Tessier and Jean-Jacques Avril establish the artistic lineage.

▲ Distinct plate mark confirms it is a genuine intaglio engraving, not a modern photomechanical reproduction.

▲ Attractive hand-coloring elevates the decorative appeal compared to plain black-and-white impressions.

Concerns

▼ Unverified paper age — if printed on 20th-century wove paper, the print is a later restrike, dropping the estimate to the $30-$50 decorative floor.

▼ Unknown margin size — trimmed margins (where the paper is cut close to the plate mark) significantly reduce collector value for antique prints.

▼ Unverified coloring date — modern hand-coloring applied to an antique print is less valuable than original 18th-century coloring.

Best Venue

Before listing, carefully examine the paper under strong light for watermarks (such as a fleur-de-lis or maker's name) and measure the exact plate indentation. If a watermark confirms 18th-century laid paper, consign to a specialist print auction or high-end dealer. If it is a later restrike on wove paper, list on a broad retail platform like eBay or Etsy with a decorative asking price of $75-$150, emphasizing the attractive hand-coloring and framing.

Upside Potential

If the print is removed from its frame and reveals full, untrimmed margins on 18th-century laid paper with a period watermark, the value shifts firmly into the $400-$600+ collector tier.

Authenticity Risk

medium

While the presence of a plate mark confirms it is a genuine engraving, the primary risk in this category is the conflation of 18th-century originals with 20th-century restrikes pulled from the same plates. Without verifying the paper type (laid vs. wove) and watermarks, it is impossible to authenticate the era of the impression, which is the primary driver of value.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 4 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.

  • MutualArt· 2024-09-05
    peintre... - Lot
    Vague title and no excerpt; cannot confirm it is the same print.
    $24
  • Annex Galleries Fine Prints
    (Floral Bouquet) engraved after Louis Tessier for 'Livre de Corbeilles et Vases de Fleurs' by Jean-Jacques Avril
    Sale on record but hammer price not published.
    No price
  • Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books· 2023-04-01
    Tessier - Bouquet of Flowers in Vase
    Sale on record but hammer price not published.
    No price
  • MutualArt· 2024-09-05
    peintre... - Lot
    Vague title and no excerpt; cannot confirm it is the same print.
    No price