Quinces - Pietro Andrea Mattioli — Contemporary hand-coloured leaf from Kreutterbuch (1611)

An original botanical leaf with contemporary hand-coloured woodcuts from the 1611 Frankfurt edition of Pietro Andrea Mattioli’s Kreutterbuch. The herbal was a major Renaissance reference for the identification and medicinal uses of plants.

Under the heading Vom Quittenbaum, two woodcuts compare the small and large quince, labelled Mala Cydonia minora and Mala Cydonia maiora. Green foliage frames fruit in warm yellow and orange, with a cut quince showing the core. The German text continues on the reverse with historical preparations, including quince syrup and a sweet paste.

The two illustrations sit above a yellow ornamental initial, a lovely detail that ties the woodcuts to the printed page. The German text and botanical illustrations show how early modern herbals combined careful observation with practical knowledge of plants.

Toned paper with scattered brown marks, slight waviness and wear at the corners.