Lot of 3 Original Hand-Colored Engraved Botanical Plates — Pierre Jean François Turpin, from Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles, France, c. 1816–1829
You are bidding on a group of three original hand-colored botanical engravings by Pierre Jean François Turpin (1775–1840), one of the most celebrated French botanical illustrators of the 19th century. Turpin contributed hundreds of plates to major French scientific publications and is highly regarded among botanical print collectors for the precision and beauty of his work.
These three plates are from the Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles (Dictionary of Natural Sciences), published in France by Levrault, c. 1816–1829 — a landmark multi-volume French scientific encyclopedia. Each plate bears the credit line "Turpin pinx't et direx't" (Turpin painted and directed), confirming Turpin's direct artistic involvement. The plates are engraved by different hands (Plée, Legrand, and Mde. Joyeau respectively), and each is headed BOTANIQUE. MONOCOTYLÉDONES with the family classification.
The three plates included in this lot are:
1.Asperge Commune / Asparagus Officinalis (Linn.) — Asparagus plant with red berries, detailed anatomical insets. Family: Asparaginées. Engraved by Plée. Hand-colored in greens and reds.
2.Ananas sauvage / Bromelia pinguin (Linn.) — Wild pineapple / Penguin bromeliad in full bloom, with detailed anatomical insets. Family: Broméliacées. Engraved by Legrand. The most visually striking plate of the three — large, colorful, and dramatic.
3.Tulipe sauvage / Tulipa sylvestris (Linn.) — Wild tulip with two open yellow blooms, bulb, and anatomical insets. Family: Liliacées. Engraved by Mde. Joyeau. Hand-colored in vivid yellows and greens.
Plate size: Approximately 8.5 x 5 inches each (image area; full leaf slightly larger).
Condition details: All three plates display light age-toning consistent with paper of this age. Colors are vivid and well-preserved. Binding edge visible on one margin of each leaf, confirming removal from an original bound volume. No tears, no missing sections, no restoration.
About the artist: Pierre Jean François Turpin (1775–1840) was a French botanist and botanical illustrator whose work appeared in the most prestigious French scientific publications of the early 19th century, including works by Humboldt and Bonpland. His plates are actively collected by botanical print enthusiasts and decorators worldwide.
These make excellent display pieces individually or as a group — the Bromelia plate in particular is a showstopper.
ITEM SPECIFICS
Field | Value |
Type | Antique Print / Engraving |
Original/Reprint | Original |
Time Period | 1800–1849 |
Subject | Botany, Natural History, Plants |
Artist | Pierre Jean François Turpin (1775–1840) |
Engravers | Plée; Legrand; Mde. Joyeau |
Publisher | Levrault, France (Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles) |
Date | c. 1816–1829 |
Country of Origin | France |
Features | Hand Water Colored |
Material | Paper |
Framing | Unframed |
Size | Approx. 8.5 x 5 inches each |
Quantity | Lot of 3 plates |
Language | French |