19th-Century Elizabeth Twining Royal Folio Botanicals – Hand-Colored Zincographs c.1850 - Pair

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A magnificent, rare matching pair of authentic 19th-century botanical illustrations by celebrated British artist Elizabeth Twining (1805–1889). Printed in London … Read more A magnificent, rare matching pair of authentic 19th-century botanical illustrations by celebrated British artist Elizabeth Twining (1805–1889). Printed in London by Day & Son (c. 1849–1855) for the highly coveted First Edition Royal Folio of Illustrations of the Natural Orders of Plants.
Unlike later mass-reissues, these heavy-paper folio sheets measure a grand 18" x 12" view size and feature meticulous mid-Victorian hand-painted watercolors over sharp zincograph line details. The watercolor layers are beautifully preserved, retaining vibrant jewel tones with subtle, original gum arabic highlighting.
• Plate I: Belvisieae (The Napoleona Tribe), detailing the exotic, geometric blooms of Napoleona imperialis.
• Plate II: Sapindaceae (The Soap-Tree Tribe), illustrating the lush clusters of tropical Lychee and Longan fruits.
Elegantly housed in matching vintage custom-made frames with a textured white crackle-glazed matting and gold-gilt outer frames. Light inventory pencil notation "700" & "600" on the lower right margins, typical of historical print dealers. Excellent antique condition with minimal, uniform aging to the rag paper. Striking statement pieces for traditional, transitional, or eclectic interiors. Sold as a pair. See less