About this sheet
A beautiful original antique botanical chromolithograph depicting Xanthochymus dulcis Roxb., now generally accepted as Garcinia xanthochymus, commonly known as False Mangosteen, Yellow Mangosteen, or Egg Tree. Closely related to the famous Purple Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), this tropical fruit tree is native to Southeast Asia and has long been cultivated throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and southern China for its attractive golden fruit and ornamental evergreen foliage.
The composition illustrates a fruiting branch bearing clusters of ripe yellow fruits together with finely executed botanical studies of the flowers and reproductive structures. The elegant balance between the glossy foliage and luminous fruit exemplifies the exceptional scientific accuracy and artistic refinement that characterize Berthe Hoola van Nooten's celebrated botanical work.
The artwork was painted from life on the island of Java by the distinguished Dutch botanical artist Berthe Hoola van Nooten (1817–1892). It was published in her masterpiece, Fleurs, Fruits et Feuillages Choisis de l'Ile de Java, widely regarded as one of the finest nineteenth-century botanical publications devoted to the flora of the Dutch East Indies. This plate was printed in rich chromolithography by P. De Pannemaeker of Ghent and issued in the third edition published in Brussels by Librairie Européenne C. Muquardt around 1880.
Although less well known than the Purple Mangosteen, the False Mangosteen has been valued for centuries as both an ornamental and fruit-bearing tree. Its striking yellow fruits and handsome foliage make this one of the most elegant fruit plates from Hoola van Nooten's celebrated series.
This is an original antique print, printed circa 1880, and not a modern reproduction or later copy.
Publication:
Fleurs, Fruits et Feuillages Choisis de l'Ile de Java
Printer:
P. De Pannemaeker, Ghent
Circa 1880
Medium:
Original chromolithograph on wove paper.
Good antique condition with age-related toning, occasional foxing and light handling wear consistent with age. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.
Please note that any framed images are for display inspiration only. The print is sold unframed. Framed mock-ups are not always shown to exact scale and are intended solely to illustrate how the artwork may look when displayed.
