Set of Framed Prints
These set of framed prints bring together historic imagery from natural history, classical illustration and sporting life, ready to hang.
What a set of framed prints includes
A set of framed prints gathers multiple related images into a cohesive group, often depicting birds, natural history, classical history or sporting scenes. When searching for a set of framed prints, buyers encounter multi-part groups ranging from small character studies to large decorative wall art.
The selections span the eighteenth century, the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, reflecting shifting tastes in interior decoration and illustration. Common groupings include sets of four, six, eight or twelve, united by a single subject or artist.
Natural history subjects, particularly tropical birds and ducks, appear frequently alongside neoclassical illustrations and historical battle scenes. These works offer a window into past printmaking traditions, preserved behind glass in period frames.
Materials and technique
The physical objects rely on paper sheets bearing engraved, etched or hand-coloured impressions, mounted securely behind protective glass. Wood forms the primary structure of the surrounds, with specialist timbers such as burr wood and bird's eye maple appearing in the framing.
Metal elements, including brass fittings and general metal hardware, secure the backing and hanging points of the heavier frames. Many works employ hand-colouring applied over printed lines, bringing vibrancy to subjects like botanical studies, theatrical characters and monkeys.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for set of framed prints, calculated from the Sellingantiques database of over a million retail prices indexed since 2003. This retail price guide relies exclusively on Sellingantiques data; no external sources or auction records are used, so the figures do not describe the wider market.
Nineteenth-century natural history plates bring strict ornithology and cheeky primates into the drawing room with equal charm.
What separates the fine from the ordinary
Quality rests upon the clarity of the underlying impression and the skill of any contemporary hand-colouring applied to the sheet. Crisp lines in eighteenth-century engravings or nineteenth-century natural history plates distinguish superior examples from worn impressions.
The construction and age of the surrounding frame contribute significantly to the overall character and integrity of the piece. Surviving period frames in timbers like oak or burr wood elevate a group above those housed in later, replacement mouldings.
Jacobus Howbraken·Le Brun·John Flaxman·Raphael Kirchner·Rob Dodds·Robert Pillard·Havell·J.F.Herring Senior
The Set of Framed Prints Glossary
- Engraving
- A printmaking method where an artist cuts lines directly into a metal plate using a sharp tool called a burin. This technique produces fine, precise details suited to scientific illustration and historical scenes.
- Neoclassical
- A style drawing inspiration from the classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasises proportion, restraint and heroic subject matter.
- Hand-coloured
- A process where colour is applied by hand to a monochrome print using watercolours or washes. This adds individual character and tone to botanical and zoological plates.
- Natural history
- The scientific study of animals, plants and geology, which generated detailed illustrative plates for collectors. These prints combine accurate observation with decorative appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a large set?
Plan the layout on a flat surface before putting any fixings into the wall, maintaining consistent spacing between each frame. Keep the centreline of the grouping at eye level for balanced viewing.
Ensure the wall fixings match the weight of the timber and glass, using heavy-duty hooks for larger wood and metal frames.
Can I separate a matching set?
Splitting a group generally diminishes the historical and decorative value of the surviving pieces, as they were published and collected together. Keeping them united preserves the narrative arc of the series.
If space requires division, consider hanging smaller subsets in separate rooms while retaining the original framing style.
How do I protect paper from light?
Position the hanging away from direct sunlight to prevent the paper stocks and hand-applied watercolours from fading over time. UV-filtering glass offers an extra layer of defence for sensitive nineteenth-century pigments.
Monitor room humidity levels to protect both the paper sheets and the wooden frames from moisture damage.
What defines a complete series?
A complete series retains every numbered plate or matching subject originally issued by the publisher or artist. In historical natural history portfolios, finding an unbroken set remains particularly desirable.
Matching frames and uniform paper sizes across all items strongly indicate an intact historical grouping.