AMMAN, Jost (1539-1591) - photo 1
AMMAN, Jost (1539-1591) - photo 2

AMMAN, Jost (1539-1591)

Lot 77
13.07.2022 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 10 080
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
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ID 794391
Lot 77 | AMMAN, Jost (1539-1591)
Estimate value
£ 1 000 – 1 500
AMMAN, Jost (1539-1591)

Engraved copper printing-plate for the title-page of Josephus, De Antiquitatibus Iudaicis Libri XX. Frankfurt: 1580.

An original printing-plate engraved with a design by Jost Amman, one of most accomplished and prolific book illustrators of the 16th century. Initially working predominantly in woodcut alongside master printmaker Virgil Solis at Nuremberg, Amman became chief designer for Sigmund Feierabend’s publications at Frankfurt am Main, working increasingly in engraving. The present printing-plate is a product of their collaboration, illustrating Feierabend’s 1580 edition of Josephus’ De Antiquitatibus Iudaicis (Antiquities of the Jews). Like other 16th-century artists, Amman did not complement the text with illustrations based on Josephus’ descriptions, but rather on Biblical sources (Huber-Rebenich), as here. For the important title-page illustration Amman chose the Judgement of Solomon set within an ornate architectural framework inspired by classical antiquity. Feierabend printed it on the title-page with letter-press text and the place of printing (‘Francoforti’) added to the date panel. The design for this plate, with the same central image of Solomon, was recycled by Amman for Feierabend’s publication of The Complete Works of Marc’ Antonio Natta 8 years later in 1588. Cf. G. Huber-Rebenich, ‘Illustrations of Printed Editions of Josephus in the Sixteenth Century’, Int. Journal of the Classical Tradition, 23, 2016, 196-212; New Hollstein, Vol. VII, 168.



189 x 245mm. Copper printing-plate engraved with an elaborate design depicting the Judgement of Solomon, set within a richly ornamental architectural border and with 15 lines of  text in an upper panel and the date in a lower panel (some minor scratches on the front of plate and light marks, scratches and small patches of oxidisation on the back).





Special notice


This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
Place of origin:Western Europe, Germany, Europe
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.07.2022 – 13.07.2022
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