Showing 17–32 of 121 results

Unusual late 19th century hand coloured lithographs of palms – Basil Besler.

After nearly two years of retirement sale and selling 2/3 of my entire stock at heavily reduced prices.

I was nearly at the end of trading, until my Son Charlie and daughter Allie informed me they would like to take over the family business.

This is very touching to me, I love their devotion to my business of 34 years. So SALE signs about to be removed pricing back to normal.

 

Arriving from Europe soon. Eight Beslers

Several of these I’ve never stocked before.
Type ‘Besler’ into search to see many examples I’ve sold over the years…
Prints from the first edition of Hortus Estettensis by Basil Besler.
First edition 1613 second 1641, third 1713.

Visiting Customers over Easter

I visited nearby customers today, to see the framing Vicki Hutchins

did for the three 18th century Elizabeth Blackwells I sold them.

While there I enjoyed some of their other pieces, including the decorative

18th century French walnut panetiere and petrin/dough bin/jardinier.

Three beautiful Botanicals, newly framed.

Elizabeth Blackwell (nee Blachrie) was among the first women to achieve fame as a botanical illustrator.

She was born in Aberdeen in about 1700, but moved to London after she married. She undertook an ambitious project to raise money to pay her husband’s debts and release him from debtors’ prison.

Her project was a book called ‘A Curious Herbal’.

She learned that physicians required a reference book which documented the medicinal qualities of plants and herbs. In order to develop the publication she examined and drew specimens of plants available in the Chelsea Physic Garden. Sir Hans Sloane provided financial support to publish ‘A Curious Herbal’.

Elizabeth Blackwell is notable for being one of the first botanical artists to personally etch and engrave her own designs. This saved the expense of hiring a professional engraver. In total, the enterprise took Blackwell six full years to complete and in the end she was able to release her husband from prison. ‘A Curious Herbal’ was published between 1737 and 1739.

The book contained the first illustrations of many odd-looking, unknown plants from the New World.

1686 – 1986

Notice how even a retro made semi Chippendale style dining chair can match so well with a striking piece of art 300 years older.

Contemporary framing can completely change the look of a copper engraving, painting, lithograph, even old photos. It’s not hard.

These chairs were unattractive, dark and had shocking patterned upholstery.

Once again, it’s not too hard to improve a chair.

I have these in a window display this week.

Quite eye catching, along with the descriptions of both.

As always it’s important to create interesting window displays

Draakestein Collection – Hortus Indicus Malabaricus 1686

Hortus Indicus Malabaricus by Hendrik Draakestein 1686.

The first complete flora from the East Indies. A very fine example of copper engraving.

My favourite botanical master of the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
1686 ‘Hortus Indicus’ was published in Amsterdam.

 

Draakestein – A collection of 15 unframed prints – Hortus Indicus Malabaricus – 1686

Hortus Indicus Malabaricus by Hendrik Draakestein

The first complete flora from the East Indies. A very fine example of copper engraving.

My favourite botanical master of the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
1686 ‘Hortus Indicus’ was published in Amsterdam.

To me, he was the master. Posted are several of his more attractive florals.
My showroom always boasts at least six Draakestein’s.

Also, in my apartment I have one, but once completed hanging, I’m sure I’ll place at least one more.

On top of his distinctive style, he wrote the name of each subject to the top right of each page in, Latin, Malaysian, Indian and Arabic.
Truly fascinating.

Hortus Indicus Malabaricus by Hendrik Draakestein

46 x 38 cm (unframed)

CGW381539-7

Using interesting, unusual fruits and vegetables in my displays, rather than floral.

These natural shapes and colours blend with period furniture so well, whereas bright loud flowers can take the attention away from the piece or entire display.
Well, that’s how I see the scheme of things…

These are ‘Buddha’s Hand’
From East Asia.
They sit so well on 18th-19th century English pewter chargers and compliment my beautiful 18th century English country oak chest of drawers.
As well as the Mid 17th century hand coloured copper engraving ’pseudo struthium’ by Basil Besler 1640 (above).

Loving my time spent creating displays in my showroom.

18th Century English country oak and walnut X-banded chest of drawers AA2128

The rectangular walnut x-banded oak top, above two short, then three long walnut x-banded, cock-beaded drawers, having brass stuart-drop handles.

Resting on the original high shaped bracket feet.

Good overall faded colour and patination.

1780-1800

H.1m W.95.5cm D.53cm

‘Chandelier D’or’ watercolour on paper 2019 Mali Moir

73 x 79cm

Brachychiton bidwillii
(scientific plant name)

Zoom in on her perfect details.

An exceptional watercolour by Mali Moir.
In my opinion one of Australia’s most exceptional versatile artists. From botanicals to charcoals to portraits in any medium.
It’s always wonderful working with and selling for her

Mali Moir – Marine

Mali Moir began her career as botanical artist in 1993 at the National Herbarium of Victoria. Combining botanical and horticultural knowledge with artistic skills Mali has contributed pen and ink drawings for Flora of Victoria, Flora of Australia, Mulleria and other scientific publications. By working closely with botanists, Mali has gained an understanding of the importance of scientific accuracy, the fundamentals of precise measurement and thorough depiction of detail. She teaches botanical illustration in association with the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, at private art groups and conducts workshops in Victoria, interstate and overseas.

Mali was awarded a Gold Medal by The Royal Horticultural Society London and an invited exhibitor to the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation USA. She is recipient of an inaugural Celia Rosser Medal and twice finalist in the Waterhouse Art Prize. Mali was the first Australian to receive the Focus On Nature Purchase Award by New York State Museum USA. She exhibits widely in Australia and internationally and has produced many works for private, public and corporate collections.

Mali has great interest working in the area of conservation and was proud to donate a painting for the charity auction ‘Name a New Species of Shrimp’ held by Australian Marine Conservation Society in association with Museum Victoria, Mali also contributes to ‘Art for Sharks’ with AMCS.

Mali has a keen interest for artistic interpretation of natural history themes in the Accurate Realism style, approaching her work with traditional techniques whilst developing a fresh contemporary look. Mali executes works on paper with the consummate skill of a dedicated artist as she combines her fascination for science and nature with an active desire to render works of art with beauty, character and scientific merit.

Mali abides with her sincere belief that “artists make science visible”.

Redoute – Early 19th Century Redoute hand coloured figs – CGW381535/2

Early 19th Century Redoute hand coloured figs.

C.1830

Pierre-Joseph Redouté, (10 July 1759 – 19 June 1840), was a painter and botanist from Belgium, known for his watercolours of roses, lilies and other flowers at the Château de Malmaison, many of which were published as large, coloured stipple engravings.

He was nicknamed “the Raphael of flowers” and has been called the greatest botanical illustrator of all time.

In 1786, Redouté began to work at the National Museum of Natural History cataloguing the collections of flora and fauna and participating in botanical expeditions. In 1787, he left France to study plants at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew near London, returning the following year. In 1792 he was employed by the French Academy of Sciences. In 1798, Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, became his patron and, some years later, he became her official artist. In 1809, Redouté taught painting to Princess Adélaïde of Orléans.

In the 20th and 21st century, numerous exhibitions in Europe, the Americas and Australia have been devoted to the work of Redouté. The Biodiversity Heritage Library, the Library of Congress and other libraries have made many of his works accessible online and reproductions of his prints are available from virtually all print and poster shops.

Principle Works,
Geraniologia, ed Petri-Francisci Didot (1787–88)
Traité des arbres et arbustes que l’on cultive en France, par Duhamel. Nouvelle édition, avec des figures, d’après les dessins de P. J. Redouté, 7 vols. (1800–1819)
Les Liliacées, 8 vols (1802–1816)
Les Roses,3 vols (1817–1824)
(1817–1824 from Library of Congress) or Rare Book Room (1817 from The Warnock Library). Taschen has also published this as part of its 25th Anniversary series.
Redouté, Pierre-Joseph; with Candolle, Augustin Pyramus (1790). Plantes grasses. Levrault.
Choix des plus belles fleurs et de quelques branches des plus beaux fruits. Dédié à LL. AA. RR. les princesses Louise et Marie d’Orléans (1827) Online facsimile – Biodiversity Heritage Library
Catalogue de 486 liliacées et de 168 roses peintes par P.-J. Redouté (1829)
Alphabet Flore (1835)

Categories: Botanicals, Latest Additions, Works of Arts

Redoute – A decorative framed arrangement of three early 19th Century Redoute hand coloured prints – 1820 – CGW500

Redoute – A decorative framed arrangement of three early 19th Century Redoute hand coloured prints.

C.1820
Pierre-Joseph Redouté, (10 July 1759 – 19 June 1840), was a painter and botanist from Belgium, known for his watercolours of roses, lilies and other flowers at the Château de Malmaison, many of which were published as large, coloured stipple engravings.

He was nicknamed “the Raphael of flowers” and has been called the greatest botanical illustrator of all time.

In 1786, Redouté began to work at the National Museum of Natural History cataloguing the collections of flora and fauna and participating in botanical expeditions. In 1787, he left France to study plants at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew near London, returning the following year. In 1792 he was employed by the French Academy of Sciences. In 1798, Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, became his patron and, some years later, he became her official artist. In 1809, Redouté taught painting to Princess Adélaïde of Orléans.

In the 20th and 21st century, numerous exhibitions in Europe, the Americas and Australia have been devoted to the work of Redouté. The Biodiversity Heritage Library, the Library of Congress and other libraries have made many of his works accessible online and reproductions of his prints are available from virtually all print and poster shops.

Principle Works,
Geraniologia, ed Petri-Francisci Didot (1787–88)
Traité des arbres et arbustes que l’on cultive en France, par Duhamel. Nouvelle édition, avec des figures, d’après les dessins de P. J. Redouté, 7 vols. (1800–1819)
Les Liliacées, 8 vols (1802–1816)
Les Roses,3 vols (1817–1824)
(1817–1824 from Library of Congress) or Rare Book Room (1817 from The Warnock Library). Taschen has also published this as part of its 25th Anniversary series.
Redouté, Pierre-Joseph; with Candolle, Augustin Pyramus (1790). Plantes grasses. Levrault.
Choix des plus belles fleurs et de quelques branches des plus beaux fruits. Dédié à LL. AA. RR. les princesses Louise et Marie d’Orléans (1827) Online facsimile – Biodiversity Heritage Library
Catalogue de 486 liliacées et de 168 roses peintes par P.-J. Redouté (1829)
Alphabet Flore (1835)

Categories: Botanicals, Latest Additions, Works of Arts

A Recent Sale of Eighteen ‘Elizabeth Blackwells’

A Recent Sale of Eighteen ‘Elizabeth Blackwells’

Yet to be professionally photgraphed, these are iPhone photos.

Elizabeth Blackwell (nee Blachrie) was among the first women to achieve fame as a botanical illustrator. She was born in Aberdeen in about 1700, but moved to London after she married. She undertook an ambitious project to raise money to pay her husband’s debts and release him from debtors’ prison.