Botany · 20th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Excellent for age. Light marginal toning and occasional small specks, consistent with early 20th-century paper. Clear plate marks and generous borders preserved throughout.
This elegant botanical set from 1902 features three beautifully hand-colored engravings depicting delicate wetland and woodland plants. The plates show Circea alpina (Alpine Enchanter’s-Nightshade), Myriophyllum verticillatum (Whorled Water-Milfoil), and Myriophyllum spicatum (Spiked Water-Milfoil). Each species is illustrated with characteristic detail, combining scientific precision and subtle artistry typical of early 20th-century English natural history publications.
The Alpine Enchanter’s-Nightshade, with its soft pink blossoms and heart-shaped leaves, is portrayed with a sense of lightness and grace. Native to cool mountain woods and shaded valleys, it is accompanied by detailed drawings of its floral parts and root structure below. The Whorled Water-Milfoil is a striking aquatic plant rendered with its distinctive feathery submerged leaves and vertical flowering spike of yellow blooms, perfectly capturing its fluid, underwater elegance. The Spiked Water-Milfoil, with its purplish stems and small pink-tinged flower clusters, complements the series with a delicate and airy form that speaks to the quiet beauty of freshwater habitats.
Each engraving reveals exceptional craftsmanship through the fine etched lines and precise hand coloring, enhancing the natural hues of green, yellow, and pink. The inclusion of magnified botanical details demonstrates the educational and artistic balance central to the period’s natural science works. Printed on soft cream paper, the compositions retain their crispness and gentle tone, making them ideal for both collectors and interior display.
Condition report: Excellent for age. Light marginal toning and occasional small specks, consistent with early 20th-century paper. Clear plate marks and generous borders preserved throughout.
Framing tips: These three prints form a beautifully cohesive set when framed together in slender gold, dark green, or walnut frames with ivory mounts. The contrast of woodland and aquatic species offers a serene natural theme, perfect for libraries, studies, or garden-inspired interiors. When displayed horizontally, they evoke a tranquil rhythm of nature in harmonious color and form.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: British, published London, 1902
