Amolago (Aglaonema) Plant: 17th Century Botanical Engraving by H. van Rheede

$1,375.00

This is a rare 17th century engraving of a plant entitled "Amolago" by the Dutch botanist Hendrik van Rheede tot Drakenstein, plate 16 from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' (Garden of Malabar), published in Amsterdam in 1686 by Johann van Someren. The engraving depicts the Amolago plant, a large leafed plant, possibly corresponding to the present day aglaonema plant. 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.

Creator: Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein (1636 - 1691, Dutch)

Creation Year: 1686

Dimensions: Height: 14.75 in (37.47 cm) Width: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)

Medium: Engraving

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 5054

This is a rare 17th century engraving of a plant entitled "Amolago" by the Dutch botanist Hendrik van Rheede tot Drakenstein, plate 16 from his 'Hortus Indicus Malabaricus' (Garden of Malabar), published in Amsterdam in 1686 by Johann van Someren. The engraving depicts the Amolago plant, a large leafed plant, possibly corresponding to the present day aglaonema plant. 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.

Creator: Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Drakenstein (1636 - 1691, Dutch)

Creation Year: 1686

Dimensions: Height: 14.75 in (37.47 cm) Width: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)

Medium: Engraving

Condition: See description below.

Reference #: 5054

The engraving is printed on 17th century laid, chain-linked paper. The sheet measures 14.75" high by 17.25" wide. There is a central fold, as issued. There are a few tiny spots 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 (1636-1691) was a botanist, naturalist, and a colonial administrator of the Dutch East India Company. He also served as the governor of Dutch Malabar between 1669 and 1676. The Malabar coast, the Western Ghats district, a region principally covering the areas which are presently in the Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa.

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