Items Similar to Rare Botanical Beauties with Butterflies – 1775 Plates from Meerburgh’s Garden

Exotic Wildflower with Butterflies – Rare Botanical Engraving by Meerburgh, 1775

Bold Leaves and Butterfly – Hand-Colored Botanical Print from Meerburgh, 1775

Wings and Wonders of the Garden – Rare Botanical and Butterfly Plates from 1775

Exotic Botanicals and Rare Butterflies – Hand-Colored Dutch Prints from 1775

Botanical Beauty: Antique Print of Achimenes Longiflora from 1850

Botanical Illustration of Colletia Ferox: Thorny Beauty from Chile, c.1855

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 13

Rare Botanical Beauties with Butterflies – 1775 Plates from Meerburgh’s Garden

About the Item

Botanical Trio with Butterflies – From Nicolaas Meerburgh’s 'Afbeeldingen van Zeldzaame Gewassen' This elegant trio of hand-colored botanical prints, featuring delicately illustrated flowering plants accompanied by butterflies, originates from the celebrated Dutch botanical work 'Afbeeldingen van Zeldzaame Gewassen' by Nicolaas Meerburgh. First published in Leiden in 1775 by Johannes le Mair, this scientifically significant and artistically refined series was produced under Meerburgh’s direction as hortulanus (head gardener) of the Leiden University Hortus Botanicus—one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens. Each of the three plates (Tab. I, II, and III) exemplifies the Enlightenment-era blending of scientific observation with aesthetic harmony. Meerburgh’s work stands out for its integration of entomological elements—such as butterflies—alongside the plants they frequented or were symbolically associated with. This approach gives the compositions a unique liveliness and appeal beyond pure botany. **Tab. I** features a white-flowering herbaceous plant, possibly a species of jasmine, with lanceolate leaves and a richly colored black-and-orange butterfly resting on the lower stem. **Tab. II** depicts a trailing vine with delicate green tendrils, accompanied by a symmetrical brown butterfly, rendered with careful attention to wing structure and pattern. **Tab. III** shows a taller blue-flowering species—possibly a type of mint or legume—with another species of butterfly, this time with reddish-brown wings and subtle markings. All three plates are signed in the lower corner by the engraver, reinforcing their authenticity and connection to Meerburgh’s Leiden press edition. The calm backgrounds, naturalistic coloration, and fine linework make this grouping not only valuable as scientific documentation but also immensely decorative. Meerburgh’s contribution to botanical art is historically important, bridging the world of Linnaean classification with Dutch artistic refinement. Condition: Very good condition considering age. Sheets show minimal foxing or toning. Hand coloring is delicately preserved with original pigments still fresh. Plate impressions are clear and margins intact. Slight age marks in the paper edges, typical for works from the late 18th century. Framing Tips: Frame the three plates side-by-side in a horizontal arrangement or as a vertical triptych. Use a soft cream or ivory mat to emphasize the botanical detailing. Light oak, maple, or muted gold frames will suit the 18th-century Dutch aesthetic. Consider float mounting to show the plate marks and printed numbering. UV-protective museum glass is strongly recommended to preserve the vibrancy of the hand-applied colors. This set is ideal for display in libraries, studies, conservatories, or interiors inspired by classical natural history.

Dimensions:

Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)Width: 10.83 in (27.5 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)

Materials and Techniques:

Paper,Engraved

Place of Origin:

Netherlands

Period:

Late 18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1775

Condition:

Very good condition considering age. Sheets show minimal foxing or toning. Hand coloring is delicately preserved with original pigments still fresh. Plate impressions are clear and margins intact. Slight age marks in the paper edges, typical for work.

Seller Location:

Langweer, NL

Antique 1850s Prints

Materials

Paper

Botanical Illustration of Colletia Ferox: Thorny Beauty from Chile, c.1855

$131 Sale Price

20% Off

20th Century American Victorian Prints

Materials

Plexiglass, Wood, Paper

18th Century Botanical Seaweed Print from Natural Curiosities

$2,200 Sale Price

21% Off

A Series of Botanical Prints from France in Faux Bamboo Frames

By Jean Louis Prévost, Pierre-Joseph Redouté

Located in New York, NY

A Series of French Botanical Prints of “Fleurs et Fruits” (Flowers and Fruits) created by Pierre-Joseph Redouté and Jean-Louis Prevost, two of ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Prints

Materials

Faux Bamboo

A Series of Botanical Prints from France in Faux Bamboo Frames

$565 / item

Antique Botanical Plate Boehmeria tenacissima Bohemian Manufacture of the 1930s

Located in Milan, IT

Colored lithograph applied on light cardboard depicting botanical study with various sections of Boehmeria tenacissima Roxb and of Corchorus capsularis L. Bohemian manufacture of the...

Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Botanical Plate Boehmeria tenacissima Bohemian Manufacture of the 1930s

$883

New York Botanical Garden Fern Prints in Handcrafted Walnut Frames by Trowbridge

By Trowbridge

Located in Doylestown, PA

Set of three prints from the antique collection of the New York Botanical Garden in handcrafted frames by Trowbridge Gallery. Each print in earthy tones of deep green and browns feat...

Category

Early 2000s English Prints

Materials

Glass, Walnut, Paper

New York Botanical Garden Fern Prints in Handcrafted Walnut Frames by Trowbridge

$1,700 / set

Antique Map of the Royal Botanic Garden & Arboretum Kew in London, England

Located in San Diego, CA

A very nice antique map of the Royal Botanic Garden & Arboretum in London, England, circa 1880s. The map itself measures 12" x 16" and is professionall...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of the Royal Botanic Garden & Arboretum Kew in London, England

$900 Sale Price

25% Off

Botanical Large Print After Joseph Nigg, from the Ateliers Lithographiques Mourl

By Joseph Nigg

Located in Downingtown, PA

Botanical Print after the painting of the Austrian painter, Joseph Nigg, (1782-1863) Artist: Joseph Nigg (1782-1863) Medium: Lithograph Dimensions: 39 3/4 inches high x 31 i...

Category

Vintage 1940s Georgian Prints

Materials

Paper

Botanical Large Print After Joseph Nigg, from the Ateliers Lithographiques Mourl

$1,850

Rare Botanical Beauties with Butterflies – 1775 Plates from Meerburgh’s Garden

About the Item

More From This Seller

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints

Exotic Wildflower with Butterflies – Rare Botanical Engraving by Meerburgh, 1775

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints

Bold Leaves and Butterfly – Hand-Colored Botanical Print from Meerburgh, 1775

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints

Wings and Wonders of the Garden – Rare Botanical and Butterfly Plates from 1775

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Prints

Exotic Botanicals and Rare Butterflies – Hand-Colored Dutch Prints from 1775

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Botanical Beauty: Antique Print of Achimenes Longiflora from 1850

Antique 1850s Prints

Botanical Illustration of Colletia Ferox: Thorny Beauty from Chile, c.1855

You May Also Like

20th Century American Victorian Prints

18th Century Botanical Seaweed Print from Natural Curiosities

Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Prints

A Series of Botanical Prints from France in Faux Bamboo Frames

Vintage 1930s Czech Prints

Antique Botanical Plate Boehmeria tenacissima Bohemian Manufacture of the 1930s

Early 2000s English Prints

New York Botanical Garden Fern Prints in Handcrafted Walnut Frames by Trowbridge

Antique Late 19th Century English Prints

Antique Map of the Royal Botanic Garden & Arboretum Kew in London, England

Vintage 1940s Georgian Prints

Botanical Large Print After Joseph Nigg, from the Ateliers Lithographiques Mourl

Recently Viewed