16/08/2026
A rare collection of original 19th-century botanical prints documenting the flora of Ceylon.
These are original period prints from the 1800s, not modern reproductions. The botanical artists first drew the plants in detail, often from live specimens, after which the artwork was transferred to lithographic stones or printing plates and printed onto paper. Depending on the period and publication, colour was then added by hand or through early colour-printing techniques.
What makes this collection particularly special is its Ceylon focus. Rather than being a general assortment of Victorian botanical prints, the plates have been brought together around plants recorded from Ceylon, giving the collection a strong local historical and natural-history significance.
Each botanical plate is also accompanied by its corresponding original descriptive text page, providing the period botanical classification, references and notes on the plant’s distribution — often specifically mentioning Ceylon.
Together, the illustrations and their descriptive pages offer a fascinating record of how the island’s flora was studied, documented and presented more than a century ago.
The originals are kept unframed, allowing the paper, printing, age and condition to be properly inspected.
Price - LKR 210,000.
Available as curated collections. DM for details or to arrange a viewing.
