Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Elegant Pink Quill in Full Bloom: An 18th Century Botanical Ilustration

About the Item

This is a delicate botanical illustration of a Pink Quill, also known as Tillandsia cyanea. The flower is depicted in its typical form with a soft pink hue, prominently displaying its stamen and petals. The image is meticulously detailed, highlighting the intricate venation of the broad leaves and the graceful curve of the flower stem. Significance and Details: - Artist: Sydenham Edwards - Publisher: William Curtis - Published in: "Curtis's Botanical Magazine" around 1799. - Special Characteristics: The pink quill is particularly known for its striking bract that resembles a quill and its bright, tubular flowers. It's a member of the bromeliad family and is admired for its unique inflorescence and vibrant color, which contrast beautifully against its green foliage. This plant is often grown as an ornamental plant due to its minimal soil requirements and striking appearance. This illustration serves not only as a beautiful artistic work but also as an educational tool, providing detailed visual information about the morphology of the pink quill, making it a valuable piece for both botanical enthusiasts and collectors of historical botanical art. The Pink Quill (Tillandsia cyanea) is special for several reasons that make it a fascinating subject in both botanical science and horticulture: 1. **Striking Appearance**: Its most distinctive feature is the bright pink bract, or quill, from which it derives its common name. This bract is vividly colored and visually striking, contrasting beautifully against the plant’s green foliage and the vibrant blue-purple flowers that emerge from the quill. 2. **Air Plant Characteristics**: As a member of the bromeliad family and specifically an epiphyte within the Tillandsia genus, the Pink Quill doesn’t require soil to grow. It absorbs moisture and nutrients through its leaves from the air, which makes it particularly adaptable and an excellent plant for indoor environments and modern decor. 3. **Ease of Care**: It is known for being low-maintenance, needing only moderate light and occasional watering, making it ideal for indoor settings and suitable for those new to gardening or who prefer less demanding plants. 4. **Flowering Longevity**: The pink bract remains vivid and attractive for several months, and the actual flowers last for a few days each, which can extend the visual appeal of the plant across a substantial period. 5. **Propagation**: After the main plant flowers, it will gradually die back, but not before producing offsets, or "pups," which can be separated and grown as new plants. This cycle of life adds an educational and engaging element to its cultivation. These unique attributes contribute to its popularity and special status among plant enthusiasts and collectors.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)Width: 6.3 in (16 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
    1790-1799
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1799
  • Condition:
    The condition of this print is very good, with vibrant colors and clear details that have been well-preserved over time. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Study scans carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13748-1051stDibs: LU3054341346692

More From This Seller

View All
Elegant Roses in Bloom: Botanical Engraving from Bertuch's Bilderbuch, 1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Elegant Roses in Bloom: Hand-Colored 19th-Century Botanical Engraving from Bertuch’s Bilderbuch für Kinder This beautifully detailed 19th-century engraving showcases two varieti...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Prints

Materials

Paper

Botanical Splendor: Laburnum and Florae in 18th Century Etching, 1748
Located in Langweer, NL
Artist or Maker: Johann Wilhelm Weinmann Title: "Laburnum, seu Anasyris flore luteo" Medium: Colored etching Catalog Number: N.655 This image is an colored etching from J.W. Weinman...
Category

Antique 1740s Prints

Materials

Paper

Prepusa hookeriana – A Rare 19th-Century Botanical Print in Elegant Matting
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Prepusa hookeriana – A Rare Botanical Print by Hoola van Houten in Elegant Matting This finely hand-colored botanical print features 'Prepusa hookeriana', a striking and ra...
Category

Antique 1840s Prints

Materials

Paper

Elegant Decorative Arts of the 17th and 18th Centuries, Published in 1887
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Exquisite 17th-18th Century European Artistic Decorations Description: These prints showcase a collection of ornamental designs from the 17th and 18th centuries, created by H...
Category

Antique 1880s Prints

Materials

Paper

Elegant Avian Diversity: Illustrations from Buffon's 18th Century Ornithology
Located in Langweer, NL
These hand-colored engravings are various bird illustrations published by Buffon. They are from the work of Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, a renowned French naturalist. These bird illustrations are from his monumental work "Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière" (Natural History, General and Particular), which was published in multiple volumes over several decades in the 18th century. The specific bird prints are from the volumes dedicated to birds ("Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux"). These volumes were published between 1770 and 1783. The precise publication date for each illustration can vary depending on the volume and edition, but the entire series falls within this time frame. Buffon's "Histoire Naturelle" is celebrated for its detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations, which were a significant contribution to ornithology and natural history at the time. Here are detailed descriptions of the birds depicted in each of the three prints: **First Print (Pl. 88):** 1. **Le Héron (The Heron)** - A tall bird with a long neck, a sharp beak, and long legs. The plumage is mostly gray with a lighter chest and dark wings. It stands on a grassy patch. 2. **Le Butor (The Bittern)** - A medium-sized bird with a stout body and a thick neck. The plumage is brown with darker streaks, blending well with marshy surroundings. It stands on a small patch of ground. 3. **Le Secretaire (The Secretary Bird)** - A large bird with an eagle-like body and crane-like legs. It has long tail feathers and distinctive crest feathers on its head. The plumage is a mix of gray, black, and white. It stands on a grassy area. **Second Print (Pl. 105):** 1. **L'Albatros (The Albatross)** - A large seabird with long wings and a stout body. The plumage is white with dark wings. It is depicted floating on water. 2. **Le Cygne (The Swan)** - A graceful bird with a long neck and white plumage. It has an orange beak with a black base and is shown swimming. 3. **Le Pélican (The Pelican)** - A large bird with a long beak and a distinctive throat pouch. The plumage is white with a hint of pink. It stands on a rock near the water. **Third Print (Pl. 96):** 1. **La Spatule (The Spoonbill)** - A bird with a long, flat, spoon-shaped bill. The plumage is white with a slight pink tinge. It stands on a grassy patch. 2. **La Grue (The Crane)** - A tall bird with long legs and neck, mostly gray plumage with black wing tips. It has a red crown on its head and stands on a grassy area. 3. **L'Aigrette (The Egret)** - A slender bird with white plumage, long neck, and black legs. It has delicate plumes on its back and is shown standing near water. These illustrations are characteristic of the detailed and accurate depictions typical of Buffon's work in natural history. These birds are found in various habitats across the world. Here are the typical regions and habitats for each bird: **First Print (Pl. 88):** 1. **Le Héron (The Heron)** - Herons are widely distributed across the world, found in both freshwater and coastal habitats. They are commonly seen in wetlands, marshes, rivers, and along lakeshores. 2. **Le Butor (The Bittern)** - Bitterns are also found in wetlands and marshes, with a preference for dense reed beds. They have a wide distribution, including parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. 3. **Le Secretaire (The Secretary Bird)** - Native to Sub-Saharan Africa, Secretary Birds inhabit open grasslands and savannas. They are terrestrial birds often seen stalking through tall grass in search of prey. **Second Print (Pl. 105):** 1. **L'Albatros (The Albatross)** - Albatrosses are primarily found in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific. They are oceanic...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

18th-Century Fencing Engraving – Elegant Depiction of Escrime Techniques
Located in Langweer, NL
18th-Century Fencing Engraving – Elegant Depiction of Escrime Techniques This exquisite 18th-century engraving, titled 'Escrime', presents a detailed depiction of fencing techniqu...
Category

Antique 1760s Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

18th Century Framed Botanical Prints
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th century hand tinted assorted framed botanicals by Elizabeth Blackwell. The image measurement is 12.5 inches H x 8.5 inches W. The framed prints are sold individually. The price ...
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Prints

Materials

Paper

18th Century Framed Botanical Prints
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th century Hand Tinted Assorted Framed Botanicals by Elizabeth Blackwell. The image measurement is 12.5 inches h x 8.5 inches w. The framed prints are priced individually. The pr...
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Prints

18th century James Sowerby botanical Engravings
By James Sowerby
Located in Seaford, GB
Rare Antique Botanical Prints by James Sowerby (1757–1822): A Timeless Tribute to British Flora Step into the enchanting world of 18th-century botanical artistry with our exceptiona...
Category

Antique 1790s British Georgian Prints

Materials

Paper

Pair of 18th Century Framed Botanicals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 18th century hand tinted lithographs have butterflies and insects throughout. The images themselves are 12" by 9" Framed in 22k giltwood frames by Jerry Solomon.
Category

Antique 18th Century French Neoclassical Prints

Materials

Giltwood, Paper

18th Century Large Hand-Tinted Botanical Lithograph
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th century large hand-tinted botanical lithographs. Beautiful images to hang in powder room, framing doorways, kitchens or anywhere! The measurement below is for the frame only. ...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Prints

Materials

Paper

18th Century Botanical Seaweed Print from Natural Curiosities
By Joseph Pitton de Tournefort, Claude Aubriet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning 18th century colored botanical study print after Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (French 1656-1708) of Fucus algae seaweed sourced from "Elements de Botanique", printed in 1797....
Category

20th Century American Victorian Prints

Materials

Plexiglass, Wood, Paper

Recently Viewed

View All