Botany · 19th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Excellent impressions with fresh hand-coloring. Minor age toning and light foxing typical of period paper, but images remain crisp and vivid with strong plate marks.
Pair of Botanical Engravings from The Botanic Garden by B. Maund, London c.1836
A fine matching pair of original hand-colored botanical engravings from *The Botanic Garden* by Benjamin Maund (1790–1864), Volume VII, published in London around 1836. This early Victorian series is among the most admired botanical works of its time, celebrated for its detailed copperplate engravings and delicate color application. Each plate contains four carefully arranged floral specimens, beautifully composed for both scientific study and decorative appeal.
The left-hand plate includes *Sedum spurium* (stonecrop), *Soldanella minima* (snowbell), *Campanula muralis* (wall bellflower), and *Thymus aureus* (golden thyme), all rendered with exceptional botanical clarity and refined natural color. The companion plate depicts *Gerbera crenata* (crimson daisy), *Gagea fascicularis* (yellow star of Bethlehem), *Galega officinalis* (goat’s rue), and *Teucrium hyrcanicum* (hyssop germander). The compositions combine horticultural accuracy with a harmonious balance of form, typical of Maund’s enduringly popular publication.
Benjamin Maund, a Fellow of the Linnean Society, devoted his career to making horticultural knowledge visually engaging for both scholars and amateur gardeners. In *The Botanic Garden*, he collaborated with artists E.D. Smith (draughtsman) and S. Watts (engraver) to create one of the finest series of 19th-century botanical prints. Each engraving was meticulously hand-colored, emphasizing the natural hues and textures of hardy ornamental plants cultivated in Great Britain.
These prints capture the essence of Victorian botanical aesthetics—graceful, precise, and scientifically faithful. Their soft pastel tones and classic compositions make them ideal for both collectors and interior display.
Condition report:
Excellent impressions with fresh hand-coloring. Minor age toning and light foxing typical of period paper, but images remain crisp and vivid with strong plate marks.
Framing tips:
Display the pair in matching ivory or pale green mounts with narrow gilt or natural wood frames to highlight their 19th-century charm and botanical elegance.
Technique: Hand-colored copperplate engraving
Maker: Engraved by S. Watts after E.D. Smith; published by Benjamin Maund, London, c.1836
