Autumn Flower & Tree 1884 Japanese Ornamental Art Playing Cards

This vintage botanical illustration by G.A. Audsley (George Ashdown Audsley) from the 1884 publication The Ornamental Arts Of Japan captures the essence of Japanese autumn. Set against a dramatic black background, the composition features golden and white flowers blooming amid gilded branches. Leaves shimmer in gradients of gold and red—reminiscent of autumn maple foliage—while delicate veins and textures enhance their naturalistic detail. Audsley, a renowned British designer celebrated for his studies of Oriental art, blends botanical accuracy with decorative elegance, using metallic pigments to evoke the season’s luminous beauty. The stark contrast between the inky backdrop and gilded elements creates a timeless ode to fall, reflecting the book’s focus on Japan’s ornamental traditions. As a public domain image, this piece exemplifies the fusion of scientific illustration and artistic craftsmanship in late 19th-century design.