Bilder François Valentijn (1666–1727) – Botanical Sheet of Trees and Plants from Ambon – Copperplate Engraving – 1724

Beskrivning

This antique botanical plate presents twenty individual studies of tropical trees and plants native to Ambon and the surrounding Moluccan islands in eastern Indonesia. Each specimen is carefully framed and rendered in delicate line engraving, showcasing seed pods, fruits, flowers, and foliage in scientific detail. Included are palms, spice trees, and rare tropical species—many of which were economically significant during the VOC (Dutch East India Company) period for their medicinal or culinary uses.

The engraving was published in Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën (1724–1726), the monumental illustrated work by François Valentijn. A minister, naturalist, and VOC official, Valentijn compiled vast observations on the Dutch East Indies, combining geography, ethnography, zoology, and botany. The illustrations, often based on field sketches and VOC botanical records, are among the earliest printed records of Southeast Asian biodiversity. This plate exemplifies the early 18th-century ambition to visually catalogue the natural wealth of the Indies through precise scientific illustration.

Artist or Maker:
François Valentijn (1666–1727)

Dimensions:
34 cm x 39 cm

Medium:
Copperplate Engraving

Date:
1724

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.