L'Ornementation : Des Origines au XVIII eme Siecle

Not dated but c 1880. Oblong. Quarter bound in calfskins over cream boards (heavily worn and scuffed on leather, card covers a little discoloured). Ownership stamp on slightly faded endpapers. Binding a little strained with cracked gutter between rear endpapers. The first two plates have mild spotting, the rest are mostly gleamingly bright. 96 chromo-lithographic plates in arranged in six sections, reproducing designs, initials capitals and illuminated decorations in documents from the Merovingian period (7th century) to those of the 18th century, often in Louis XVIth style. What little text there is, is in French. Magnificent plates, and an essential guide to the style of document decoration through the ages. Very hard to find volume. Oblong 8vo.