A ready-to-hang pair of genuine Georgian botanical prints with over two centuries of history behind them - hand-coloured copperplate engravings of two elegant irises from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, the world's longest-running botanical journal. One shows the Portuguese Flag iris in golden yellow washed with blue and violet; the other a graceful yellow Cape iris, drawn for its very first appearance in print. Both were drawn by Sydenham Edwards, the magazine's star artist, and coloured entirely by hand in watercolour, which gives them the soft, painterly freshness.

What makes this pair sing on a wall is the framing: matching ornate painted and parcel-gilt frames simulating figured hardwood, over toned wash mounts - warm, decorated, and quietly grand. Hang them flanking a mirror, stacked in a hallway, or as the anchor of a botanical gallery wall; the yellow-and-violet palette plays beautifully with everything from English chintz to clean modern walls. Each print retains its original letterpress description page, a lovely bibliophile touch. Dated 1803 and 1804.


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good antique condition. Scattered foxing to the sheets as expected of Georgian paper, the hand-colouring fresh and impressions clear; minor wear to the painted and gilt frames commensurate with age. Framed and glazed.

Origin:
United Kingdom

Creator:
Artist: William Curtis

Materials & Techniques:
Paper

Details:
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Frame Type: Framed
Art Subjects: Botanic

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good antique condition. Scattered foxing to the sheets as expected of Georgian paper, the hand-colouring fresh and impressions clear; minor wear to the painted and gilt frames commensurate with age. Framed and glazed.