Pair of Botanical Engravings from The Botanic Garden by B. Maund, London c.1836
A beautifully matched pair of original hand-colored botanical engravings from *The Botanic Garden* by Benjamin Maund (1790–1864), Volume VII, published in London around 1836. These finely executed plates exemplify early Victorian natural history illustration, combining scientific precision with elegant color and composition. Each print features four detailed species, carefully engraved and delicately finished by hand.
The left-hand engraving depicts *Rudbeckia columnaris* (Mexican hat flower), *Asthmatica tetragona*, *Dracocephalum peregrinum* (dragonhead), and *Vesicaria grandiflora* (large-flowered bladderpod). The right-hand sheet features *Rosa lutea* (yellow rose), *Melissa serpyllifolia* (lemon balm), *Viola palmensis* (violet), and *Vaccinium vitis idaea* (lingonberry or cowberry). Together, the two compositions celebrate the diversity and beauty of flowering plants cultivated and admired in 19th-century Britain.
Benjamin Maund’s *The Botanic Garden; consisting of Highly Finished Representations of Hardy Ornamental Flowering Plants Cultivated in Great Britain* stands among the most exquisite botanical series of the Victorian era. Published from the 1820s onward, it combined the work of skilled artists such as E.D. Smith and engravers including S. Watts, under Maund’s direction. Each illustration reflects Maund’s ambition to make horticultural knowledge accessible while elevating botanical study into an art form.
The plates are engraved on copper and richly hand-colored, demonstrating the craftsmanship and subtle tonality characteristic of Maund’s publications. Their naturalistic yet decorative presentation made them both scientific references and elegant adornments for collectors and drawing rooms of the period.
Condition report: Excellent impressions with fine, original hand-coloring. Slight age toning and minimal foxing typical for the period, with visible platemarks. Paper strong and margins clean.
Framing tips: These prints form a perfect pair for display in botanical or classic interiors. Use ivory or pale sage mounts with gilt or dark mahogany frames to enhance the refined coloration and period charm.
Technique: Hand-colored copperplate engraving Maker: Engraved by S. Watts after E.D. Smith; published by Benjamin Maund, London, c.1836
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