Rare Collection by Julie Blyfield at the National

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Julie Blyfield

It is an enormous privilege to work with original source materials to inspire new directions in my jewellery and metal work. In 2015, I approached the State Herbarium of South Australia and spoke with the Botanist - Robyn Barker who encouraged me to investigate the book of plant illustrations - Wild flowers of South Australia.

In the preface of the 1861 book, De Mole states: This present little work is offered , not as having any botanical pretensions, but simply as a Book of Flowers; flowers with which we daily meet in our grounds and neighbourhood, and with which we would gladly make our friends in England familiar.

The old volume contains 20 plates and illustrates 38 different flowering plants from South Australia. Each of the delicate, hand coloured prints is accompanied by a name plate with a description of the plant species with the botanical / common names. It is believed that in the mid 1800’s Fanny’s plant illustrations were sent to England where they were made into Lithographs and returned to Adelaide for hand-colouring with assistance from her family and friends.  Fanny tragically died of Tuberculosis at the age of 31 in 1866. She left a wonderful legacy to be enjoyed today.

This project was generously supported by Arts South Australia. I would especially like to thank Robyn Barker- Botanist from the Herbarium who generously shared her knowledge and expertise. Special thanks to Tony Kanellos and Lorrae West from the State Herbarium of South Australia.