British antiquarian Christopher Wilcox arrived in Los Angeles six years ago with an enormous collection of old maps, botanical prints, and architectural plans.
Recruiting a team he described as "artists, gypsies, and creative thinkers," he founded Natural Curiosities, a studio devoted to making nature-inspired wall art, much of it directly borrowed from Wilcox's vintage holdings. We especially like the Natural Curiosities Jean Baptiste Collection, taken from late 19th century educational plates that explain the role of geometry in science (the originals hung in classrooms on rawhide loops, which have been recreated as a decorative element). Available from Jayson Home & Garden and Mecox Gardens for $995 apiece, the prints are on archival watercolor paper floated on linen and set in Natural Curiosities' signature acrylic shadow boxes. To some they evoke folk art, to others Sol LeWitt.
Above: Baptiste Geometric #4; $995 at Jayson Home & Garden. The prints measure 23.5 by 18.5 inches framed.
Above: Baptiste Geometric #5; $995 at Jayson Home & Garden.
Above: Baptiste Geometric #1; $995 at Jayson Home & Garden.