Cultivating American plants in 18th-century Vienna.

[American plants] / [Gardening]. Der hochgebohrnen Frauen Frauen Antonia Graffin von Esterhasi gebohrne Graffin Palfy von Erdet … bestelten Lust Zir blumen und Orangeri gärtner in Lanz nebst Wienn Ich Johannes Rigler Urkunde… S.l. [near Vienna]: s.n. [signer by Johannes Rigler], 1731. [53.3 x 30.5 cm]. [1] f. parchment manuscript. Folds, minor toning on verso and at folds, slits intended for the attachment of a seal, neatly written, script and decoration well preserved.
 
 
Large manuscript ‘craft’ or ‘trade’ certificate (Handwerkskundschaft) on parchment issued in 1731 to the journeyman gardener Jacob Fürst at the completion of his term working at the “pleasure, ornamental flower and orangery” garden of Countess Antonia Esterhazy von Palffy ab Erdöd. This garden was located “in Lanz near Vienna,” i.e., Lanzendorf. Fürst’s competency is certified by the master gardener Johannes Rigler.
 
The document is of interest for its unusual pen-and-ink drawings of exotic plants, including American species such as a carnivorous pitcher plant, a cactus, and a pineapple. 
 
By the middle of the 18th century, craft certificates of this sort typically had become generic (although often very handsome) printed forms issued by individual cities or towns. Such forms often included a view depicting the relevant cityscape (see K. Stopp). Comparatively rare are manuscript craft certificates and those that depict the instruments or products of a specific trade. I have not before encountered an example depicting American plants.
 
 
*K. Stopp, Die Handwerkskundschaften mit Ortsansichten: Beschreibender Katalog der Arbeitsattestate wandernder Handwerksgesellen (1731–1830).