Mariette (Jean) Traité des Pierres Gravées, 2 vol., engraved plates

Mariette (Jean) Traité des Pierres Gravées, 2 vol., first edition, half-titles, engraved titles, dedication, head-pieces, and 259 plates and illustrations on 197 sheets by the Comte de Caylus after Bouchardon, very occasional spotting, presentation copy from Baron Holbach with recipient's contemporary manuscript note "This Book I received from Baron D'Hollbach. Paris October 1763" to front free endpaper, armorial bookplate of Viscount Kirkwall, handsome contemporary red morocco with triple gilt fillet, spines richly gilt in compartments with six raised bands and tan morocco labels, g.e., very slightly rubbed, a couple of cracks to joints, [Cohen-de Ricci 683; Sinkankas 4208], folio, Paris, 1750. *** A fine wide-margined copy on papier de Hollande of the first analytical work on engraved gems. Vol.I is a detailed account of gems, their engraving & tools including a plate of an engraver at work, and a bibliography; vol.II describes the gems in the collection of Louis XV.

Estimate:£2,000

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