18th Century Collection

Livistona chinensis, ca 18th century
Watercolour of Livistona chinensis, commonly known as Chinese fan or fountain palm, by unknown Asian artist, Company Art, Kew Collection, 18th century

Stewartia malacodendron L
Illustration inscribed in large, painted letters, STEWARTIA, Stuartia malacodendron, Catesb. car.3. p.13. tab.13. ; signed and dated lower right corner

An exact plan of the Royal Palace Gardens and Park at Richmond, 1754
Engraving representing An exact plan of of the Royal Palace Gardens and Park at Richmond with Sion House on the opposite side o the River Thames

Elevation of the Great Pagoda as first intended, 1763
Sir William Chambers first published this design of the Pagoda in 1763 in his Plans, elevations, sections, and perspective views of the gardens and buildings at Kew in Surry

Tulip Bissard Adelaar, 1740
Watercolour on paper of Tulip Bissard Adelaar dated 1740. Painting by Georg Dionysus Ehret (1708 - 1770). Part of the Arthur Church Collection

The Mosque
Illustration from Sir William Chambers 1763 publication, Plans, elevations, sections, and perspective views of the gardens and buildings at Kew in Surry

Elevation of the Great Pagoda by William Chambers, Architect Sir William Chambers first published this design of the Pagoda in 1763 in his Plans, elevations, sections

The Great Pagoda, (exterior)
Sir William Chambers first published this design of the Pagoda in 1763 in his Plans, elevations, sections, and perspective views of the gardens and buildings at Kew in Surry

Cactus indicus, ca 18th century
Watercolour on paper, ca late 18th century. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh. Roxburgh noted in his Flora Indica that this cactus was common around Calcutta

Caesalpinia sappan, Willd
Watercolour on paper. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1815). The plant is found in most parts of India and its islands. It flowers during the hot season

Mesembryanthemum simplex, 1793
Watercolour and pencil on paper by Francis Masson, 1793. Field sketch made by Masson in the Cape of Good Hope

Iris bulbosa latifolia, 1757
Gouache painting on vellum of Iris latifolia with a moth by Georg Dionysius Ehret (1708-1770), signed and dated 1757. The painting is from the Tankerville Collection, purchased 1934

Tulip Baquet Rigaux Optimus, 1740
Watercolour on paper of Tulip Baquet Rigaux Optimus, 1740. Painting by Georg Dionysus Ehret (1708 - 1770). Part of the Arthur Church Collection

626 - Palms in the Botanic Garden at Rio Janeiro. The Organ mountains appear in the back ground

Palm House - final stages of construction

The Palm House under construction

A View of the Palace from the North Side of the Lake
Engraving on paper, A View of the Palace from the North Side of the Lake, the Green House & the Temple of Arethusa, in the Royal Gardens at Kew

Lagerstroemia regina, Willd
Watercolour on paper. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1815). In his Flora Indica, Roxburgh describes this species as a large timber tree, native of Bengal

Butea frondosa, Willd
Watercolour on paper. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1815). In his Flora Indica, Roxburgh describes this species as a rather large tree

Quercus obtusiloba, 1795-1800
Page from a volume of notes, drawings, plant specimens and proof prints prepared for the publication Amérique ou Descriptions et figures de toutes les espèces et variétés de chênes de l'Amérique

Mesembryanthemum digitatum, 1772-1793
Watercolour on paper of Mesembryanthemum digitatum by Francis Masson, 1772-1793. The inscription mentions Dactylopsis digitata which is an old synonym the current accepted plant name

Architecture
Kew B2B Architecture

Allium sphaerocephalon, 1794
Illustration of Allium sphaerocephalon, commonly known as ornamental onion. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1794. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 7, plate 251

Punica granatum, 1791
Illustration of Punica granatum, commonly known as pomegranate, from Icones Plantarum Medicinalium by Joseph Jacob Ritter von Plenck, 1791. Illustration from volume 4, plate 376

Carica papaya, 1750-73
Illustration of Carica papaya, commonly known as papaya or pawpaw, by Georg Dionysius Ehret, 1750-73. Illustration from Plantae Selectae by Christoph Jacob Trew, 1750-73

Hypholoma acutum, 1803
Illustration of Hypholoma acutum from Coloured Figures or English Fungi or Mushroom by James Sowerby, 1797 - 1815

Usnea austroafricana, Ricasolia virens, beard lichen, lichen
Illustration by Johann Stephan Capieux, 1789, from Descriptio et adumbratio plantarum e classe cryptogamica Linnaei quae lichenes dicuntur by G. F. Hoffmann, 1790-1801

Ramalina sp. 1789
Illustration possibly of Ramalina species commonly known as strap or cartilage lichen by Johann Stephan Capieux, 1789. Artwork from Descriptio et Adumbratio Plantarum e Classe Cryptogamica Linnaei

Stropharia aeruginosa, 1795-1815
Illustration of Stropharia aeruginosa, commonly known as verdigris roundhead mushroom from from Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms by James Sowerby, 1795-1815

Peziza vesiculosa, 1795-1815
Illustration of Peziza vesiculosa, commonly known as blistered cup from Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms by James Sowerby, 1795-1815

Laccaria amethystina, 1795-1815
Illustration of Laccaria amethystina, commonly known as amethyst deceiver from Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms by James Sowerby, 1795-1815

Pleurotus ostreatus, 1775-1798
Illustration of Pleurotus ostreatus, commonly known as oyster mushroom or hiratake from Flora Londinensis by William Curtis, 1775-1798

Metroxylon sagu, 1750
Illustration of Metroxylon sagu, commonly know as sago palm, from Herbarium Amboinense by Georgius Everhardus Rumphius, 1750, vol 1, t. 17

Narcissus bulbocodium, 1790
Illustration of Narcissus bulbocodium, commonly known as hoop petticoat daffodil. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by James Sowerby, 1790

Narcissus minor, 1787
Illustration of Narcissus minor, commonly known as daffodil or wild daffodil. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1787. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 1, plate 6

Leucojum aestivum, 1770
Illustration of Leucojum aestivum, commonly known as snowflake, spring snowflake, summer snowflake or Lodden lily. Artwork from Enumeratio Plantarum Florae Danicae or known as Flora Danica by Georg

Gladiolus communis, 1790
Illustration of Gladiolus communis, commonly known as star of gladiolus, sword lily. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1790

Cyclamen coum, 1787
Illustration of Cyclamen coum, commonly known as cyclamen or sow bread. Hand-coloured engraving on paper by James Sowerby, 1787. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 1, plate 4

Anethum graveolens, 1790
Illustration of Anethum graveolens, commonly known as dill, from Icones Plantarum Medicinalium by Johannes Zorn, 1790, vol 6, t.512

Allium schoenoprasum, 1788-1812
Illustration of Allium schoenoprasum, also known as chives, from Icones Plantarum Medicinalium by Joseph Jacob Plenck, 1788-1812, volume 3, plate 257

Salvia officinalis, 1776
Illustration of Salvia officinalis, also known as sage, from Flora Parisiensis by Pierre Bulliard, 1776

Petroselinum crispum, 1765
Illustration of Petroselinum crispum, also known as parsley, from Herbarium Blackwellianum by Elizabeth Blackwell, 1765

Rhus coriaria, 1773
Illustration of Rhus coriaria, also known as sumac, from Herbarium Blackwellianum by Elizabeth Blackwell, 1773

Lavandula dentata, 1798
Illustration of Lavandula dentata. also known as fringed lavender or French lavender, from Curtis's Botanical Magazine by William Curtis, 1798

Eryngium foetidum, 1725
Illustration of Eryngium foetidum, also known as fitweed or shado beni, from A voyage to the islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and Jamaica by Hans Sloane, 1725

Citrus hystrix, 1750
Illustration of Citrus hystrix, also known as makrut lime or kaffir lime, from Herbarium Amboinense by Georgius Everhardus Rumphius, 1750

Zingiber officinale, 1750
Illustration of Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger, from Herbarium Amboinense by Georgius Everhardus Rumphius, 1750

Citrus x aurantium, 1782
Illustration of commonly known as Citrus x aurantium, Seville orange, bigarade, bitter orange, marmalade orange or sour orange, from Histoire et Culture des Orangers by Antoine Risso

Cucumis melo, 1737
Illustration of Cucumis melo, commonly known as melon, by Elizabeth Blackwell, from A Curious Herbal by Elizabeth Blackwell, 1737. Artwork from volume 2, plate 329

Artocarpus incisa, 1788-1812
Current accepted plant name is Artocarpus altilis, commonly known as breadfruit. Illustration made on hand-coloured copper engraving on laid-paper from Icones Plantarum Medicinalium by Joseph Jacob

Pholiota squarrosa, 1795-1815
Illustration of Pholiota squarrosa, commonly known as shaggy scalycap from Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms by James Sowerby, 1795-1815

Myriostoma coliforme, 1795-1815
Illustration of Myriostoma coliforme, commonly known as salt-shaker earthstar or pepperpot from Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms by James Sowerby, 1795-1815

Hydnoporia tabacina, 1795-1815
Illustration of Hydnoporia tabacina, commonly known as reddish-brown crust from Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms by James Sowerby, 1795-1815

Crucibulum laeve, 1795-1815
Illustration of Crucibulum laeve, commonly known as white-egg birds nest from Coloured Figures of English Fungi or Mushrooms by James Sowerby, 1795-1815

Ferocactus hamatacanthus, 1852
Lithograph of Ferocactus hamatacanthus, commonly known as Mexican fruit cactus or Texas barrel cactus, by Walter Hood Fitch, from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, 1852. Artwork from volume 78, plate 4632

Coryphantha octacantha, 1848
Lithograph of Coryphantha octacantha by Walter Hood Fitch from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, 1848. Artwork from volume 74, plate 4358

Erythronium dens-canis, 1787
Illustration of Erythronium dens-canis, commonly known as dog s-tooth violet, trout lily or glacier lily. Hand-coloured engraving on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1787

Eranthis hyemalis, 1787
Illustration of Eranthis hyemalis, commonly known as winter aconite. Hand-coloured engraving on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1787. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 1, plate 3

Corydalis solida, 1770
Illustration of Corydalis solida, commonly known as spring fumewort, spring corydalis or bird-in-a-bush, 1770. Artwork from Enumeratio Plantarum Florae Danicae by Georg Christian Oeder, volume 21

Corydalis solida, 1793
Illustration of Corydalis solida, commonly known as spring fumewort, spring corydalis or bird-in-a-bush. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1893

Oxalis versicolor, 1791
Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by Sydenham Edwards, 1891. Artwork from Curtiss Botanical Magazine, volume 5, plate 155

Amaryllis lutea, 1795
Current accepted plant name is Sternbergia lutea, commonly known as winter daffodil or fall daffodil. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by unknown artist, 1895

Ornithogalum nutans, 1794
Illustration of Ornithogalum nutans, commonly known as drooping star-of-Bethlehem. Hand-coloured lithograph on paper by unknown artist, 1794

The Mosque
Illustration from Sir William Chambers 1763 publication, Plans, elevations, sections, and perspective views of the gardens and buildings at Kew in Surry

Strychnos potatorum, Willd. (Clearing nut)
Watercolour on paper. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1815). In Flora Indica, Roxburgh notes that this species is found exclusively in the...mountains

Diospyros ebenum, K├Ân. (Ebony)
Watercolour on paper, no date (late 18th century). Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1815)

Diospyros melanoxylon, Willd. (Ebony)
Watercolour on paper. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1820). In Flora Indica, Roxburgh notes that the bark of this tree

Cactus chinensis, R. (Opuntia ficus-indica), 1795-1804
Watercolour on paper, 1795-1804. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1815). In his Flora Indica, Roxburgh believed this plant to be a native of China

Rosa chinensis
Watercolour on paper. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh. In his Flora Indica, Roxburgh reports that this species is a native of China

Senna alata, R
Watercolour on paper. Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1815). In his Flora Indica, Roxburgh describes this species as a large shrub

Quercus rubra (Q. borealis, American red oak)
Watercolour and pencil on paper, no date (c.1800).Page from a volume of notes, drawings, plant specimens and proof prints prepared for the publication Histoire des chenes de l Amerique

Quercus prinus
Watercolour on paper, no date (c.1800). Page from a volume of notes, drawings, plant specimens and proof prints prepared for the publication Histoire des ch├¬nes de l Am├®rique

Buildings - Herbarium
Interior of Herbarium wing C

Tulips, 1799-1807
Colour mezzotint, finished by hand of Tulipa x gesneriana cultivars, commonly known as broken tulips. Artwork by Richard Earlom after Philip Reinagle, plate 25 from Robert Thorntons Temple of Flora

Varieties of apples from Jean Herman Knoop, Pomologie, ou Description des meilleures sortes de pommes et de poires (1771)

The Pagoda

The Pagoda in snowy landscape

Caesalpinia tortuosa, R
Watercolour on paper, no date (late 18th, early 19th century). Hand painted copy of an illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh (1751-1815)

Interior of the Herbarium, RBG Kew, showing wing C

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