Title: Wild Guava Flowers (Careya arborea)

Artist: Elizabeth A.C. Taylor 

Region: Probably Bombay Presidency, Maharashtra, Central India

Date: C. 1870-1880

Period/Style: Raj Period, Anglo-Indian

Medium: Watercolor and pencil on paper

Dimensions: 13.82 x 10.75 in. (35.1 x 27.3 cm)

Presentation: Loose - unframed and unmounted

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Description:

This beautiful quality botanical artwork is from a dispersed collection of flower illustrations in watercolor and pencil by Elizabeth Arnold Thomas. Executed between 1872 to 1880, these pictures are larger than was typical for botanical works at the time. The Victorian fashion for classification-type paintings was popular during this period. It was also common for amateur artists to travel around the country, documenting the various flora, fauna, architecture, and people they encountered.

Due to the lack of records on this artist in England during this period, it is possible that Elizabeth A. Thomas was native born to India, into, perhaps, a British military or merchant family. Some of the paper in the collection has a watermark from a paper mill in Kent. It is also likely that the artist lived locally since the collection spans a wide range of years. The “Kylassa” in the inscription may refer to the Kailasha Temple, the largest Hindu rock-cut temple at the Ellora Caves, in Maharashtra. Many of the paintings in the collection are dated, like this one, and some are also initialed in the inscription.

Careya arborea, the subject of the painting, is a species of tree in the Lecythidaceae family, native to the Indian subcontinent. Its common English names are wild guava, Ceylon oak, and patana oak. Careya arborea is a deciduous tree that grows up to 50 ft. high. Its leaves turn red in the cold season. Flowers are yellow or white in color that become large green berries. The tree grows throughout India in forests and grasslands.

The larger-sized painting remains in excellent condition. Any wear is commensurate with age, including any tanning or foxing.

This watercolor forms part of a dispersed series of late 19th century botanical studies by E.A.C. Taylor, including the related Lemon Citrus Study painting previously identified from the same group. The consistent paper, inscription style, dating format, specimen numbering, and handling strongly suggest these works once belonged to a unified botanical album or study collection produced in British India during the 1870s–1880s. As with the guava study, the present work combines careful scientific observation with the decorative sensibility characteristic of Victorian colonial botanical illustration.

This watercolor study originates from the same dispersed Anglo-Indian botanical album group as the signed and dated E.A.C. Taylor works previously handled by the seller. While this particular sheet does not retain a visible inscription, it shares the same paper, palette, handling, and highly refined naturalistic approach characteristic of the documented examples from the series, suggesting a common artistic origin within the late 19th century colonial botanical tradition of British India.

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Condition:

The work remains in very good antique condition overall and presents attractively. Minor age-related toning and scattered foxing are visible throughout the sheet, consistent with late 19th century works on paper. Light handling wear and faint surface abrasions are present under close inspection. The sheet shows mild undulation and isolated soft creasing, with minor edge wear commensurat with age. Colors remain notably fresh and saturated, particularly within the foliage, with no apparent significant fading. No major tears, losses, or restorations observed. Unframed and not matted.

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Provenance:

Acquired through the UK art trade.

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Note:

Unless otherwise noted, Attribution and dating are based on stylistic analysis and comparison with related works; offered as informed opinion. Sold as is. Please review images carefully.