Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein

Citamerdu (Amrita) Plant: 17th Century Botanical Engraving by Hendrik van Rheede

1686

This is a rare 17th century engraving of a plant entitled "Pee-amerdu" by the Dutch botanist Hendrik van Rheede tot Drakenstein, plate 19 from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' (Garden of Malabar), published in Amsterdam in 1686 by Johann van Someren. The engraving depicts the Pee-amerdu plant, a large leafed plant climbing plant off the Malabar Coast in India. The plant is noted for its medicinal uses. It may be related to Tinospora species. Rheede's 19th century publication featured illustrations of exotic plants and fruits labelled with script in the upper right corner in Latin, Malay, Arabic, and Sanskrit. Hortus Indicus Malabaricus is believed to be the earliest comprehensive published work on the flora of Asia and the tropics. The 17th century treatise featured important illustrations of 740 plants of the region, including Indian medicinal plants. The engraving is printed on 17th century laid, chain-linked watermarked paper. The sheet measures 14.88" high by 18.75" wide. There is a central fold, as issued. There are a few faint smudges, a spot in the upper margin and there is minimal irregularity of the left edge of the paper where the print was previously bound in the 17th century publication. The print is otherwise in very good condition. There are additional Rheede botanical engravings from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' publication that are listed on my 1stdibs storefront and online website. These would make for an impressive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of two or more of the prints. Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein...

This striking hand-colored botanical mezzotint and line engraving is entitled "Gnaphalium, Gossypium (Cotton Plant)". It is plate 551 in Johann Weinmann's monumental publication "Phy...