Crown Imperial Plates

These glass plates combine historical botanical imagery and contemporary design. The detail of a crown imperial fritillary is from Hortus Eystettensis, published in Germany in the early 17th century and still one of the most impressive botanical works ever created. Basilius Besler, an apothecary and botanist, helped create the garden illustrated in this magnificent florilegium and wrote the text for the two folio volumes.

 Rectangular glass plate 6” x 12”, square glass plate 5¾” x 5¾”.

The botanical illustration is from the Rare Books Collections of the Mertz Library here at the Garden.