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Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
This original 18th-century hand-colored copper engraving depicts a species of Cassia (now commonly associated with the genus Senna), illustrated by Georg Dionysius Ehret for Philip Miller’s Figures of the Most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncommon Plants, published in London between 1755 and 1760.
The engraving reflects the scientific approach of the period, presenting the plant with clarity and precision while preserving a refined visual balance. Drawn from living specimens, the composition captures both structural detail and botanical variation.
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The composition is defined by a slender vertical stem, articulated with rhythmic clusters of leaves that create a sense of order and continuity. The foliage, rendered in soft tonal variations of green, provides a calm and structured foundation.
Small yellow blossoms introduce gentle accents of color, distributed across the upper portion of the plant. Their restrained presence contributes to the overall harmony rather than dominating the composition.
The elongated seed pod at the base adds a subtle counterpoint, grounding the composition and reinforcing its botanical completeness.
The restrained palette and clear background emphasize the plant’s structure, reflecting Ehret’s distinctive ability to balance scientific observation with refined visual simplicity.
Plants historically classified under Cassia are now largely included within the genus Senna, known for their characteristic foliage and yellow flowering clusters. Many species were valued for their medicinal properties and cultivated in botanical gardens across Europe.
In 18th-century botanical studies, such plants played an important role in the development of classification systems, illustrating the diversity and functional characteristics of plant species.
This engraving forms part of Philip Miller’s Figures of the Most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncommon Plants, produced at the Chelsea Physic Garden. The plates were drawn from living specimens and engraved by leading artists, including Georg Dionysius Ehret, whose work set new standards in botanical illustration.
The plate includes a publication line reading “Published according to Act of Parliament”, dated 1755, confirming its origin within the first edition of the work.
Discover more about the artist: Georg Dionysius Ehret — The Art of Botanical Precision .
Browse the complete collection: Miller – Uncommon Plants Collection , featuring original 18th-century engravings that combine scientific precision with refined decorative presence.
Very good to excellent antique condition. A particularly crisp and fresh impression, with exceptionally well-preserved original hand-coloring and a remarkably bright and clean appearance. Printed on fine 18th-century laid paper, retaining generous and well-balanced margins. No watermark observed. An unusually well-preserved example of the period.
Specific References
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A striking 18th-century botanical engraving of Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis), distinguished by unusually bold hand-coloring and a dynamic, flowing composition. This plate exemplifies the expressive character of German botanical illustration, combining strong visual presence with refined natural observation.
Borage Plant (Borrago sp.) – Antique Hand-Colored Engraving by Ehret (1756)
An elegant 18th-century botanical engraving depicting Helleborine, characterized by slender foliage and delicate pink blossoms. The refined vertical composition and original hand-coloring create a balanced and decorative botanical image.
An original 18th-century hand-colored engraving depicting Apocynum scandens, published in Philip Miller’s Figures of the Most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncommon Plants. The composition combines delicate star-shaped flowers, elegant climbing stems, and striking striped seed pods, uniting botanical precision with refined decorative presence.
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A striking 18th-century botanical engraving depicting a Blue Crinum Lily (Crinum sp.), distinguished by bold hand-coloring and an elegant vertical composition. The vivid blue blossoms and sculptural foliage exemplify the expressive character of German botanical illustration.