Pair of Victorian Botanical Flower Prints by B. Maund, London circa 1836
€ 340
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1836
Mapmaker / artist
Engraved by S. Watts after E.D. Smith; published by Benjamin Maund, London, c.1836
Technique
Hand-colored copperplate engraving
Sheet size
24 × 18 cm (9.4 × 7.1 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14141-7 & BG-14141-8
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
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.
About this sheet
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.
