Antique French Herbarium Specimen | Rosa Micrantha | Herbarium Rosarum, 1897

Antique French Herbarium Specimen | Rosa Micrantha | Herbarium Rosarum, 1897

A beautifully preserved original French herbarium specimen documenting Rosa micrantha, carefully collected and mounted in 1897 as part of Herbarium Rosarum, the celebrated botanical study compiled by Dr. Pons & Abbé Coste. Collected in the Viaur Valley near Pont-de-Salars in Aveyron, France, this specimen captures the delicate beauty of a wild rose growing at an elevation of 690 meters.

Pressed by hand and accompanied by its original printed identification label, it offers a rare glimpse into nineteenth-century botanical exploration and scientific preservation. Today, these historic herbarium sheets are admired not only for their scientific significance but also for their quiet elegance as works of natural art.

Country of Origin: Vallée du Viaur, La Viguière, near Pont-de-Salars, Aveyron, France
Estimated Date: Collected 21 August 1897
Material: Original pressed botanical specimen (Rosa micrantha Sm. var.), mounted on archival paper with original printed identification label; Herbarium No. 258, from Herbarium Rosarum, compiled by Dr. Pons & Abbé Coste; collected by Simon at 690m elevation; part of The French Herbarium Collection
Dimensions: 11" W × 18" H × ¼" D

Condition
Beautiful antique condition, with age-related toning, foxing, and minor imperfections consistent with more than 125 years of age. The original pressed botanical specimen and printed identification label remain intact, preserving both its historical provenance and decorative appeal. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

Collected Notes
Herbarium Rosarum, compiled by Dr. Pons and Abbé Coste, stands as one of the celebrated botanical studies of nineteenth-century France, methodically documenting the country's wild rose species with precise location and elevation records. Specimens like this one offer a direct, tangible connection to that era of scientific fieldwork, preserved for well over a century with their original identification labels intact.

Why We Collected It
We were drawn to this specimen for its documented precision and quiet historical weight, capturing not just a plant but a specific place, elevation, and moment in nineteenth-century botanical study. It is exactly the kind of scholarly, beautifully preserved piece that brings genuine depth and natural history to a thoughtfully collected home.

Tisbury House Styling Notes
Frame this specimen in natural oak, rich walnut, or an antiqued gilt frame to let its soft patina and delicate botanical form become a timeless focal point. Display it individually in a study, library, garden room, or hallway, or pair it with other sheets from The French Herbarium Collection to create an elegant gallery wall inspired by historic European botanical archives.

*Note: This is an unframed art piece, which has been placed inside of an archival sleeve to keep it protected. Please inquire for pricing on framing options.