Basilius Besler

BESLER. A Group of Four Peonies.

1640

A Group of 4 hand-coloured engraved plates of tulips, in matching silver leaf frames. Dimensions: 34.6cm by 48.5cm. A fine group of these rare flower plates, the complete volume of 40 being part of Le Jardin d'Eden, which was intended as the supplement to the Collection des Fleurs de la Chine & de l'Europe, first published in 1776. [Paris 1781] The second half of the eighteenth century saw a boom in natural history publications in France fuelled by such works as Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle. The accession of Louis XVI in 1774 was followed by a relaxation in the regulation of the book trade making it easier for authors to publish their own works. No other writer was to take such copious advantage of these two developments as Pierre-Joseph Buchoz (1731-1807), a French physician, lawyer and naturalist. His works are characterised by the beauty of the illustrations, and their rarity owing to the small size of the print runs. The final tulip plate...

Original stipple engraving by Charles-Louis Ruotte, printed in colour and finished by hand. [Paris, 1805] Prévost came from a long line of French artists spanning 400 years. Jean-...

Original stipple engraving by Charles-Louis Ruotte, printed in colour and finished by hand. [Paris, 1805] Prevost's "Collection des Fleurs et Fruits...

Original stipple engraving by Charles-Louis Ruotte, printed in colour and finished by hand. Framed and glazed, overall size: 63.3 by 47.2 cm. [Paris 1805]. Prevost came from a lo...

"Rosa ex rubro nigricans" (Red Roses); a hand-colored copper engraving from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden at Eichstatt), first published in 1613 in Eichstatt, Germany near Nuremberg and later in 1640 and 1713. This engraving is presented in a glossy silver and matte gold-colored wood frame with a green edge and an elaborate double cream-colored French mats with light mauve bands; each accented by a broad decorative marbleized green band. It is glazed with plexiglass. There is text offset and a very small crease in the left margin, but the print is otherwise in excellent condition. Provenance: W. Graham Arader Gallery...

1871 Botanical Prints of Paeonia and Butomus from Tunbridge Wells Flora Offered here is a striking pair of original 19th-century botanical prints from The Flowering Plants of Tunbridge Wells and Neighbourhood by Richard Deakin, published in 1871 by Stidolph & Bellamy and Groombridge & Sons, London. These finely detailed plates depict Paeonia corallina (Coral Peony) and Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush), two elegant flowering species native to parts of Europe and found in the Tunbridge Wells region of England. Rendered with scientific precision and colored by hand, these prints reflect the Victorian era’s passion for botany, natural classification, and the visual arts. Each flower is represented in its full structural form, with careful attention to botanical accuracy, showing stems, leaves, blossoms, and reproductive parts where applicable. The *Paeonia corallina* features deep crimson petals and vibrant green foliage, while the *Butomus umbellatus* is notable for its light pink clustered blooms atop tall, sinuous stems—its root and bulb details meticulously illustrated alongside. These prints exemplify the dual nature of botanical works of the 19th century: simultaneously scientific documents and refined decorative art. These plates come from one of the more specialized and regionally focused British botanical publications of the period, making them relatively rare in the market. Their historic link to the Tunbridge Wells flora gives them additional geographic and academic interest. Condition Report: Good condition overall. Hand-coloring remains vivid and precise. The paper shows only minor, even toning, appropriate for its age. No significant foxing or tears. Species names are present and clearly legible. Framing Suggestions: For the best visual impact and preservation, these prints should be framed in matching frames with archival mats and UV-protective glass. A neutral mount (ivory or pale grey) will complement the organic colors while enhancing their Victorian charm. Ideal for hallways, libraries, studies, or conservatories, especially in botanical or period-themed interiors. Keywords: Victorian botanical prints...

Antique botany print titled 'Pivoine double'. Hand-colored stipple engraving of a Paeonia officinalis, commonly known as the common peony. This colourful flowering plant is native to...

Carlo Alberto Petrucci, 'Still Life with Peonies', color monotype, c. 1915. Signed in pencil, in the image, lower right. A superb, painterly impression, with fresh colors, on heavy c...