12400 James Sowerby (1757–1822) – Botanical Study of Common Restharrow (Ononis arvensis) – Hand-coloured etching (1800)
"Ononis arvensis". This botanical illustration depicts a flowering sprig of Common Restharrow, showcasing its vibrant pink pea-like flowers and woody, thorn-bearing stems. The plate accurately renders the trifoliate leaves and the hairy texture of the plant. At the bottom, the etching provides detailed dissections of the papilionaceous floral structure, including the standard, wings, and keel petals, as well as the reproductive organs. A drawing of the tough, woody rootstock is also included, which famously gave the plant its name for "resting" or stopping horse-drawn harrows in fields. This work was published in London on January 1, 1800, as part of the series English Botany, or Coloured Figures of British Plants, with Hints of their Characters.
James Sowerby was a prolific English naturalist, illustrator, and mineralogist who became one of the most significant figures in scientific publishing during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. He was a fellow of the Linnean Society and the Royal Society, known for his extraordinary ability to combine artistic elegance with rigorous botanical accuracy. Sowerby contributed thousands of plates to various publications, including the Mineral Conchology of Great Britain and the multi-volume English Botany, which remained a standard reference for generations. His family established a long-running dynasty of scientific illustrators, continuing his legacy of documenting the natural world with technical mastery.
Artist or Maker: James Sowerby.
Dimensions: Approximately 23 cm x 14 cm.
Medium: Hand-coloured etching.
Date: 1800.
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.
| Estimate | 100 - 200 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
Dahlströms Rare Prints
Harju maakond, Tallinn
Lasnamäe linnaosa, Ruunaoja tn 3, 11415
Estland
info@dahlstromsrareprints.com
© Software Copyright 2026 Skeleton. All rights reserved.