Mountain Calamint (Calamintha montana) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Elisabeth Blackwell

This refined botanical engraving depicts Mountain Calamint (Calamintha montana), presenting an upright flowering stem with regularly spaced whorls of small tubular blossoms and opposite, softly textured leaves arranged for clear botanical identification.

The composition is organized along a strong vertical axis, with lateral branches creating a balanced, symmetrical rhythm. Elisabeth Blackwell enhances legibility by isolating individual floral components—flower, calyx, and seed—allowing the plant’s structure and reproductive features to be read with precision.

Produced in the early eighteenth century, this plate forms part of A Curious Herbal, a work that sought to document plants of medicinal relevance through accurate observation and practical visual reference.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The plant’s evenly spaced flower whorls establish a measured upward rhythm, giving the composition clarity and calm order. Rounded leaf forms soften the structure, balancing the linearity of the stem and reinforcing the plant’s aromatic, herbaceous character.

Restrained hand-colouring highlights subtle contrasts between foliage and blossoms without decorative excess. Muted greens and soft reddish tones preserve botanical clarity while lending the image a quiet elegance.

About the Subject

Mountain calamint (Calamintha montana) belonged to a group of aromatic herbs closely associated with digestive and calming remedies in early European medicine. Its leaves and flowering tops were commonly used in infusions and preparations valued for their warming and carminative properties. Because several related species shared similar scents and appearances, accurate visual distinction was essential in apothecary practice. Blackwell’s plate reflects this practical need, emphasizing floral arrangement, leaf form, and seed structure to support reliable identification.

Condition Report

The engraving is in exceptionally fine antique condition, printed on original handmade laid paper typical of early 18th-century botanical publications. A period watermark is visible on the sheet, consistent with contemporary papermaking practices. The surface remains fresh and stable, with light, even age-related toning. The impression is crisp and well defined, with well-preserved hand-colouring and intact engraved inscriptions, including the artist’s credit “Eliz. Blackwell delin. sculp. et pinx.”

Details

• Artist: Elisabeth Blackwell
• Work / Publication: A Curious Herbal
• Period: 1737–1739
• Technique: Original copper engraving, drawn, engraved, and hand-colored by Elisabeth Blackwell
• Paper: Original handmade laid paper
• Watermark: Period watermark visible
• Sheet size: approx. 37 × 22 cm

Curatorial Context

This engraving forms part of a rare botanical group depicting three closely related Calamintha species, as illustrated by Elisabeth Blackwell in A Curious Herbal. While Calamintha montana documents a habitat-specific mountain form, the complete group offers a broader comparative view of medicinal use, morphology, and early apothecary practice.

Collectors and scholars interested in the full botanical narrative may explore the complete curated trio here:
Three Calamints – Botanical Trio from A Curious Herbal

For further context on Elisabeth Blackwell and the medicinal herbs documented in A Curious Herbal, see our editorial feature:

Elisabeth Blackwell – A Curious Herbal