Recueil D’Ornemens.
Paris, for the Author 1777.
Large folio (560 x 392 mm.). Letterpress privilege and seventy-five plates. ENGRAVED TITLE, FRONTISPIECE AND DEDICATION AND SEVENTY-TWO ENGRAVED LEAVES with one hundred thirty-five motifs including fifty in the crayon manner — six printed in sanguine. Forty-one of these are by sisters Elise-Caroline or Françoise-Charlotte Liottier.
Gilt red morocco (David; hinges rubbed), large corner fleurons, spine and all edges gilt, silk marker.
SUPERB COPY OF THIS SPLENDID CLASSICAL REVIVAL PATTERN BOOK, informed by recent archaeological discoveries in Italy. Created for the king’s brother, these extravagant designs “demonstrate [Cauvet’s] tremendous range and understanding of classical ornament” (Vasemania). The number and content of leaves differ between copies. That offered here is among the most complete recorded. In fine condition.
¶Guilmard, Les Maîtres ornemanistes 226,28 (59 pl.); Quérard, La France littéraire II: 89 (64 pl.); Lewine, Bibliography of 18th Century Art 98 & reprod. (73 pl.); Cohen-de Ricci, Guide de l’amateur de livres à gravures 208 (76 pl.).
Price: $9,500.00