Vanda Suaveolens Orchid in a Pot, Chromolithograph Plate I, 1859

This is an original antique botanical print, a chromolithograph printed in color, numbered plate I and lettered "VANDA SUAVEOLENS Bl." A long arching strap shaped leaf sweeps across the sheet from the lower left, and a spray of orchid flowers hangs from a curving stalk: cream sepals and petals spotted with brown and yellow, crimson lips, and pale round buds at the tip. Below, the whole plant grows from a flower pot, its pale roots and leaves drawn largely in outline.

The name is lettered in capitals with the authority "Bl." (Blume). At lower left the artist's line reads "A. J. Wendel, ad. viv. in Horto. Lugd. Bat." (drawn by A. J. Wendel from the living plant in the botanic garden at Leiden), and at lower right "L. Stroobant Sc. & Lith à Gand." (engraved and lithographed by L. Stroobant in Ghent). The plate number I. is printed at the top left.

The plate comes from the second volume of the Annales d'horticulture et de botanique, ou Flore des jardins du royaume des Pays-Bas, published at Leiden by A. W. Sythoff in 1859 for the Société royale d'horticulture des Pays-Bas under the patronage of King William III. The journal recorded cultivated and ornamental plants grown in the Netherlands and introduced from the Dutch possessions in the East Indies, from America and from Japan. Hort. Lugd. Bat. stands for Hortus Lugduno-Batavus, the botanic garden of Leiden University. L. Stroobant was a lithographer working in Ghent (Gand in French).

The strong color and clear drawing make it a good choice for a study, a garden room or a hallway, framed singly or in a group of plates from the same work.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.