Le Antichità de Ercolano esposte

Lot 41
15.10.2021 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 11 875
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 627531
Lot 41 | Le Antichità de Ercolano esposte
Estimate value
$ 12 000 – 18 000
POMPEII & HERCULANEUM – Le Antichità de Ercolano esposte. Naples: Regia Stamperia, 1755-1792.

First edition of the most important source of neo-classical design, in full red morocco. "The early volumes of the Antichità di Ercolano esposte ... set off the diffusion of the ‘Pompeian taste’ all over Europe" (Paper Palaces). It is the first attempt at a systematic description of the archaeological finds made at Herculaneum during the 18th century. Both the finds and information concerning them were jealously guarded to the extent that the volumes were originally offered "only by the Neapolitan court as a gift to selected personalities and institutions. [However,] the book quickly won fame all over Europe. Beside the antiquarian interest, artists and architects found in the volumes a brand new and fashionable repertory of antique images for their interiors." (ibid). The first five volumes are devoted to paintings, the next two to bronzes, and the last to lamps. Blackmer 37 (2d ed) and 97; Paper Palaces (Topham Collection exhibition catalogue), no. 10.

Nine volumes (including Ottavio Bayardi's Catalogo degli Antichi Monumenti ... de Ercolano bound as vol.IX), folio (475 x 353mm). Half-titles, titles in red and black excluding the Catalogo, each with an engraved vignette. Engraved general title, portrait, one double-page map, 607 plates on 606 sheets including a few double-page and folding plates (only, lacking pls. 65 & 74 in Statue, and one pl. in Lucerne); copious engraved head and tail-pieces and initials, typically one per described plate (scattered minor foxing, nearly all marginal except in Lucerne, Lucerne with intermittent toning and a few leaves stained at bottom margin). Contemporary red morocco (minor scuffing, vol. 3 Pitture with unobtrusive waterstaining to covers and neatly recased with contents cleaned). Provenance: "M" (bookplate) – William Brown, Edinburgh (bookseller's ticket in vol. 9).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
01.10.2021 – 15.10.2021
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

More from Creator

Antiquities of Mexico
Antiquities of Mexico
$16 000
Verbiest's world map
Verbiest's world map
$12 000
A previously unknown invoice for furnishings
A previously unknown invoice for furnishings
$2 800
Iliad, in Latin
Iliad, in Latin
$1 500
New York City commissions a painting of Washington
New York City commissions a painting of Washington
$100
The East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere
The East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere
$1 000
Inscriptiones sacrosanctae vetustatis
Inscriptiones sacrosanctae vetustatis
$1 200
Huguan County, Lu’an Prefecture, Shanxi Province
Huguan County, Lu’an Prefecture, Shanxi Province
$1 600

Related terms

?>