A dramatic Cereus engraving by Richard Lancake, featuring a luminous night-blooming flower from Miller’s celebrated 18th-century botanical work.
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Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
This original 18th-century hand-colored copper engraving depicts a Night-Blooming Cereus, illustrated by Richard Lancake for Philip Miller’s Figures of the Most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncommon Plants, published in London in 1756.
The plant, known for its rare nocturnal flowering, is presented in a striking composition that captures both its botanical structure and its ephemeral beauty.
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The composition is dominated by a spectacular fully opened flower, radiating outward in vivid tones of yellow and white. The layered petals create a luminous, almost sculptural effect, drawing immediate attention to the center of the image.
The curved green stem introduces movement and contrast, guiding the eye upward toward the bloom. At the base, a closed bud adds narrative depth, suggesting the fleeting nature of the flowering cycle.
Unlike more restrained botanical engravings, this composition emphasizes visual impact — combining scientific observation with a bold decorative presence.
The result is an image of remarkable intensity, where botanical accuracy meets dramatic expression.
Species of Cereus, often referred to as night-blooming cacti, are known for their large, fragrant flowers that open only for a single night. This rare phenomenon fascinated 18th-century botanists and collectors alike.
Their brief and spectacular flowering made them symbols of rarity and natural wonder within early botanical collections.
This engraving is part of Philip Miller’s landmark botanical publication, produced at the Chelsea Physic Garden. The plates were created from living specimens and engraved by artists such as Richard Lancake, whose work often emphasizes visual clarity and decorative strength.
The plate bears the publication line “Published according to Act of Parliament”, dated 1756, confirming its origin within the first edition of the work.
Discover more about the project: Philip Miller — Botanical Science and the Art of Cultivation .
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
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.
A refined 18th-century botanical engraving depicting Cunonia sp., distinguished by bold original hand-coloring and an elegant vertical composition. The vivid pink blossoms, slender leaves, and exposed bulb create a decorative image of strong botanical character.
A vibrant Arbutus engraving by Georg Dionysius Ehret from Miller’s 1755 botanical work, combining botanical precision with striking decorative appeal.
An original 18th-century hand-colored engraving depicting a Custard Apple (Annona sp.), from Philip Miller’s Figures of the Most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncommon Plants. Combining botanical precision with decorative clarity, the composition features both the plant and its distinctive fruit in sectional detail.
Borage Plant (Borrago sp.) – Antique Hand-Colored Engraving by Ehret (1756)
An elegant 18th-century botanical engraving of the Belladonna Lily (Amaryllis belladonna), published in Philip Miller’s Figures of the Most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncommon Plants. Presented in exceptional “like brand new” condition, this plate combines scientific clarity with refined decorative appeal, enhanced by fresh original hand-coloring.
A rare set of four original 18th-century botanical watercolors, entirely hand-painted and rich in color and detail. A curated ensemble combining scientific observation with decorative elegance — perfect for refined interiors and collectors.
A striking 18th-century botanical engraving depicting Glaucium, featuring bold red blossoms and intricately shaped foliage. The expressive composition and original hand-coloring create a vivid and decorative botanical image.
A refined 18th-century botanical engraving depicting the chestnut tree, featuring detailed foliage and characteristic fruit. The balanced composition and original hand-coloring create a visually rich and highly decorative natural history print.
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.
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.
A refined 18th-century botanical engraving depicting Geranium, featuring distinctive rounded foliage and delicate pink blossoms. The balanced composition and original hand-coloring create a harmonious and decorative botanical print.
A refined botanical engraving depicting Abutilon, illustrating the balance between structural clarity and delicate floral detail in 18th-century botany.
A refined 18th-century botanical engraving depicting Dictamnus albus, known for its elegant pink blossoms and structured foliage. The balanced composition and delicate hand-coloring make this a highly decorative and versatile botanical print.
A refined engraving of Mesembryanthemum species by Ehret, combining sculptural succulent forms with delicate floral studies from Miller’s 18th-century work.
A striking 17th-century botanical engraving from Abraham Munting’s Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen - Phytographia Curiosa, depicting a monumental aloe with architectural structure and a decorative cartouche. A powerful example of early botanical art combining scientific observation with theatrical composition.
A refined 17th-century botanical engraving from Abraham Munting’s Nauwkeurige Beschryving der Aardgewassen - Phytographia Curiosa, depicting a flowering plant presented in an elaborate sculptural vessel with allegorical figures. A distinctive example of early botanical art where natural observation meets decorative imagination.