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Brendel Botanical Models.

Late 19th Century.

Hand painted papier maché, paper and wood on turned wood stands.
Claviceps purpurea (ergot, a fungi which grows on the ears of wheat and other cereals) by Brendel. The remaining models yet to be identified.

Robert Brendel (1821-1898).
Reinhold Brendel (1861 - 1927).

Heights of models on image from left to right: 48 cm + 36 cm + 53 cm.

As detailed by the University of Aberdeen Zoology Museum, "In the late 19th Century Robert Brendel and his son Reinhold produced beautiful and accurate models of enlarged flowers at Breslau and Berlin. Usually the models were made of papier maché, but with other materials added to give detail and texture: wood, cotton, rattan, pulp cane, glass beads, feathers and gelatine."
Reinhold Brendel was honoured with many awards at World Fairs:

Paris 1867 - an honourable mention.
Vienna 1873 - bronze medal.
Chicago 1893 - gold medal.
Paris 1900 - gold medal.
Brussels 1910 - gold medal.
Prussian bronze state medal in 1896.
Prussian Small Silver State Medal 1901.

These didactic models of plants were in great demand in the 19th century due to their scientific accuracy. They were bought by Universities worldwide as aids to teaching, many from Alberto Dall'Eco who was a dealer in scientific and teaching tools and materials; active in Florence in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. The Department of Biology at the University of Florence still hold a collection of these specimens bought from Dall'Eco.

Bibliography:
Il Museo de Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi de Firenze, by Giulio Barsanti & Guido Chelazzi.
Voyage au coeur des fleurs. Modeles botaniques et flores d'Europe au XIXe siecle. Bogaert-Damin Anne-Marie.

Museum Collections:
University of Florence.
National Museum of Liverpool hold over 200 models in their collections.
University of Aberdeen Zoology Museum.
The Whipple Museum, University of Cambridge, Cambridge U.K.

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Stock number

1701
Open by appointment only

The BADA Standard

  • Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
  • Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
  • Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
  • Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
  • Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
Click here for more information on the BADA Standard