European Quillwort, Creeping Pillwort and Shoreweed – Botanical Triptych, 1873

€ 270

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

Date: 1873
Mapmaker / artist: Anne Pratt, England, published 1873
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Sheet size: 24.4 × 14 cm (9.6 × 5.5 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14198-62 & BG-14198-63 -64

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

Moderate age toning with light scattered foxing, consistent with age; images remain clear and well preserved.

About this sheet

European Quillwort, Creeping Pillwort and Shoreweed – Botanical Triptych, 1873
This subtle and elegant botanical triptych presents three aquatic and semi-aquatic plant species, illustrated with clarity and restraint. The plates depict the European Quillwort, Creeping Pillwort, and Shoreweed, each characterized by low-growing forms and distinctive reproductive structures adapted to wet and marginal habitats. Displayed together, the three prints create a quiet, balanced composition with a refined natural rhythm and a strong sense of botanical cohesion.

The engravings were published in 1873 as part of Anne Pratt’s respected botanical works, admired in the Victorian period for their ability to combine scientific accuracy with visual elegance. These lesser-known plant species fascinated 19th-century botanists due to their specialized environments and ancient lineage, and Pratt’s illustrations capture their form with precision and subtle hand coloring. The soft green tones and generous negative space give this triptych a light, contemporary feel despite its historical origin.

As a ready-made triptych, this set is particularly appealing to collectors and interior designers seeking understated botanical imagery with a natural, almost minimalist character. It is well suited to studies, bathrooms, coastal interiors, or modern spaces where calm, organic subjects are preferred.

Condition report:
Moderate age toning with light scattered foxing, consistent with age; images remain clear and well preserved.

Framing tips:
Use matching mats in warm ivory, pale sand, or soft gray. Frames in light oak, natural ash, or slim painted frames will enhance the quiet, aquatic character.