Botany · 19th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Excellent, with rich and well-preserved hand coloring. Very light toning and minimal handling marks typical of age. Plate marks clearly visible on all sides; verso blank.
This striking pair of early 19th-century botanical engravings offers a vivid glimpse into the elegance of Georgian-era natural history illustration. Published in London in 1828 as part of The Botanic Garden, these detailed hand-colored prints depict a selection of ornamental flowering plants admired in British gardens of the time. Each specimen is presented with scientific precision and artistic grace, capturing the refined intersection of botany and art that defined Benjamin Maund’s influential publication.
The two plates feature a diverse group of eight flowering species, each framed within fine borders and labeled in Latin. The left sheet depicts the Woody Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), Alpine Daphne (Daphne tartonraira), Yellow Fumitory (Fumaria lutea), and Canada Lily (Lilium canadense). The right sheet presents the Clustered Gentian (Gentiana catechu), Annual Everlasting (Xeranthemum annuum), Dahlia (Dahlia superflua), and Yellow Monkey Flower (Mimulus luteus). The careful line engraving and subtle watercolor tinting produce a naturalistic effect that highlights the variety of color, texture, and structure among these popular ornamental plants.
Created at a time when botanical collecting was both a scholarly pursuit and a mark of cultural refinement, these engravings embody the early 19th-century fascination with nature’s beauty and diversity. The crisp outline and luminous coloring reflect the exceptional craftsmanship of Maund’s London workshop, where artists, engravers, and colorists collaborated to create one of Britain’s most admired horticultural publications. The compositions balance scientific clarity with decorative appeal, making them equally suited for study or elegant interior display.
Condition report: Excellent, with rich and well-preserved hand coloring. Very light toning and minimal handling marks typical of age. Plate marks clearly visible on all sides; verso blank.
Framing tips: These plates form a perfectly balanced pair, ideal for display in botanical or period-inspired interiors. Best framed in matching antique gold, oak, or dark walnut frames with off-white or pale green acid-free mats to enhance their vibrant hues and refined symmetry.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: Benjamin Maund, London, 1828
