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Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902

Botany · 20th century

Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902

€ 189

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date
1902
Sheet size
31.7 × 25 cm (12.5 × 9.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13347-108
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Very good antique condition. Light, even age toning consistent with early 20th-century paper. A faint horizontal fold as issued. Minor scattered specks may be present. Colors remain clear and well preserved.

About this sheet

This original hand-colored botanical engraving depicts River Water-Dropwort, scientifically known as Oenanthe fluviatilis, a graceful aquatic plant native to Britain and parts of Europe. The print originates from English Botany; or, Colored Figures of British Plants, Third Edition, edited by John T. Boswell Syme and published in London by George Bell & Sons in 1902. The illustration is based on the authoritative work of James Sowerby and J.E. Sowerby, whose botanical plates are widely admired for their combination of scientific accuracy and refined visual balance.

River Water-Dropwort is shown here in a characteristic aquatic form, with finely divided submerged foliage and more compact flowering structures above the waterline. The plate carefully illustrates the plant’s hollow stems, umbels of small pale flowers, and the distinctive fruits and seed forms used for identification. This species is also sometimes referred to simply as Water-Dropwort or Floating Water-Dropwort, reflecting its riverine habitat and adaptability to flowing water.

The composition blends detailed line work with subtle hand coloring in soft greens and muted natural tones. Additional botanical details, including stem sections and fruit studies, surround the main figure, creating a visually engaging yet calm layout. The generous margins and vertical format make this print especially suitable for interior display, whether as a standalone piece or combined with related water-plant subjects. It fits beautifully into classic interiors, libraries, studies, or modern spaces seeking a quiet botanical or natural-history accent.

This print appeals to collectors of antique botany, lovers of British wildflowers, and interior designers looking for authentic botanical art with understated elegance.

Condition report:
Very good antique condition. Light, even age toning consistent with early 20th-century paper. A faint horizontal fold as issued. Minor scattered specks may be present. Colors remain clear and well preserved.

Tips for framing:
Frame in light oak, walnut, or a slim black frame. Use an off-white or soft ivory mat to emphasize the fine detail and preserve a refined, timeless botanical presentation.

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Ask about this sheet

Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902
Antique British Botanical Print of River Water-Dropwort, Hand-Colored, c.1902
1902 · Ref. BG-13347-108 · € 189
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