One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1825
Sheet size
26.7 × 17.5 cm (10.5 × 6.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13261-177
Condition
Good condition. Strong plate impression and richly preserved hand-coloring. Minor toning and faint foxing in the margin, not affecting the image. The paper is stable, and well-suited for framing or archival purposes.
About this sheet
This exquisite hand-colored copperplate engraving features Lilium speciosum, known in French as Lis élégant or Elegant Lily. The flower is depicted with gracefully recurved pink petals, speckled in deep red and edged in soft white, along with vivid green leaves and prominent stamens. The engraving is signed Desmares Sc., indicating it was engraved by Louis Desmares, one of the principal botanical engravers for French natural history publications in the early 19th century.
This plate was published around 1825 by Panckoucke in Paris as part of the important botanical work *Le Jardin des Plantes: Histoire Naturelle des Plantes*. These works were produced under the auspices of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle and are celebrated for their scientific precision and refined artistry.
A fine representation of one of the most beloved ornamental flowers, this plate is ideal for collectors of antique botanical art, floral studies, and French Enlightenment-era illustration.
Condition Summary: Good condition. Strong plate impression and richly preserved hand-coloring. Minor toning and faint foxing in the margin, not affecting the image. The paper is stable, and well-suited for framing or archival purposes.
Framing Tips: Frame with a soft ivory or pale blush mat to echo the flower’s pink tones. A gold-leaf, rosewood, or brushed silver frame adds elegance and enhances the botanical detail. Use UV-protective glass and consider float mounting to showcase the full sheet and engraved title.
