Natural History Drawings

Natural History Drawings: The Complete William Farquhar Collection, Malay Peninsula 1803–1818, with essays by John Bastin and Kwa Chong Guan

This landmark volume brings together, for the first time, all 477 natural history drawings commissioned by Colonel William Farquhar during his residency in Melaka between 1803 and 1818. As a British colonial officer with a keen interest in the natural world, Farquhar engaged local collectors to gather specimens of flora and fauna from the Malay Peninsula and commissioned Chinese artists to document them in vivid watercolour.

The collection spans a wide range of species—including plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and fish—captured with a unique blend of Chinese and Western artistic techniques. These detailed illustrations offer a rare glimpse into the biodiversity of the region during the early 19th century, as well as the context of British colonial presence in Southeast Asia.

Essays by historians John Bastin and Kwa Chong Guan explore the historical and scientific significance of the collection and Farquhar's role in its creation. Each illustration is accompanied by expert commentary from wildlife specialists Hassan Ibrahim and Morten Strange, providing scientific identification and context for every species depicted.

A remarkable resource for scholars, collectors, and anyone interested in natural history, colonial history, or Southeast Asian studies.

Format: hardcover, 335pages

ISBN: 9789814217699

Dimensions: 210x250x35mm

Weight: 1.2kg