KHUNRATH, Heinrich (c.1560-1605) - photo 1
KHUNRATH, Heinrich (c.1560-1605) - photo 2
KHUNRATH, Heinrich (c.1560-1605) - photo 3

KHUNRATH, Heinrich (c.1560-1605)

Lot 205
13.07.2022 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 7 560
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 794498
Lot 205 | KHUNRATH, Heinrich (c.1560-1605)
Estimate value
£ 7 000 – 10 000
KHUNRATH, Heinrich (c.1560-1605)

Amphitheatrum sapientiae aeternae solius verae, christiano-kabalistum, divino magicum, physico chymicum. Hanover: Guilelmus Antonius, 1609.

'One of the most important books in the whole literature of theosophical alchemy and the occult sciences.' (Duveen). Khunrath's alchemical treatise was first published in 1595 with four plates; it is the principal hermetical work by the German follower of Paracelsus, edited by his pupil Erasmus Wolfart. Caillet states that it is rare to find the work complete with all plates, particularly the plate of Khunrath sounded by his enemies, represented as hellish insects, or humans with bird and animal heads; ‘cette planche étonnante .. manque dans presque tous les exemplaires’ (Caillet). ‘It is a theosophical commentary on selected verses from the Solomonic texts of the Bible in which Khunrath seeks to propound his "way of correctly philosophising" by a "mystical Ladder of Seven Orthodox Grades"'’ (Forshaw). Brunet III, 658; Ferguson I, 463; Wellcome I, 3560; Caillet 5747.



Folio (304 x 189mm). Portrait of the author by Johan Diricks Van Campé, Magdenburg, engraved title, 9 double-page engraved plates, single-page engraved plate of owl, some plates dated 1602, others by Paullus Vandre Doort, Antwerp, 2 double-page tables, woodcut initials, headpieces, and culs-de-lampe (small hole at head of engraved title, and margins of next 3 leaves, single wormhole in margins of first leaves, browning in places as usual, minor paper repairs to lower corner of engraved title and portrait, occasional light damp-stain). 18th-century speckled calf, (rebacked, corners restored, a little crackled and rubbed). Provenance: ?Lyndsay (19th-century ink inscription on label on front pastedown) – ?TM (cipher stamped in red ink).





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No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Place of origin:Western Europe, Germany, Europe
Auction house category:Medicine & science, Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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13.07.2022 – 13.07.2022
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