Hand-Aged Besler Nigella & Dulcamara Print in Fully Wrapped William Morris Frame

A spectacular study in delicate botanical geometries and rich color contrasts, this curated statement piece celebrates the intricate charm of 17th-century European flora, beautifully enveloped by the fluid textile motifs of late 19th-century English design.

The artwork features a masterfully hand-aged reproduction from Basilius Besler’s monumental Hortus Eystettensis (1613), the legendary florilegium commissioned by Prince-Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen to record the treasures of the Willibaldsburg Castle gardens. The elegant, symmetrical composition centers on the feathery, architectural form of the Nigella peregrina flore multiplici (Love-in-a-mist) with its double white blossoms, flanked on the left by the white-flowered Dulcamara flore albo and on the right by the classic purple-blue Dulcamara flore caeruleo vulgatior (Bittersweet Nightshade), both remarkably depicted with their vibrant clusters of glossy red berries. Through a deliberate and delicate aging process, the paper surface takes on a warm, amber-toned historical depth. Elevating this piece into a dimensional art object, both the custom internal passepartout and the entire outer frame have been fully wrapped by hand in William Morris’s iconic willow foliage pattern. This seamless textile integration delivers a captivating tridimensional presence, perfect for bringing narrative depth and organic warmth to an eclectic living space or high-end study.

Technical Details & Condition:

• Estimated Period: Modern reproduction expertly hand-aged, fully wrapped, and assembled by Atelier Bellinzona (2026). Original plate by Basilius Besler (c. 1613).

• Origin: Italy (Artisanal framing and textile processing).

• Material: Aged paper print, original William Morris archival paper for the fully wrapped frame and mount, protective glass.

• Dimensions: 32.5 x 42.5 cm.

• Condition: Excellent contemporary condition. The print is artistically patinated and distressed by hand to mimic the fine character, light staining, and oxidation of an original Baroque engraving. As an entirely handmade creation featuring an intricate paper-wrapping process on both frame and mount, minor asymmetries or textile alignment variations are considered signature hallmarks of its unique, non-industrial luxury prestige.