Traité des pierres précieuses
First edition of one of the most beautiful French books on jewelry, precious stones, and the art of adornment published in the Age of Enlightenment, adorned with 79 plates of jewelry, bound in antique calf.
In-4, marbled calf, triple gilt fillet, red title piece, inner gilt roll, red edges. Contemporary binding.
260 x 190 mm.
Pouget Fils. Treatise on Precious Stones and How to Use Them in Ornaments.
Paris, At the author's, Master Jeweler, Quay des Orfèvres at the diamond bouquet and at Tilliard Bookseller, 1762.
First edition of one of the most beautiful books on jewelry, precious stones, and the art of ornaments published during the Age of Enlightenment.
It includes a treatise on precious stones, fine stones, and precious metals, a catalog of authors who have written about precious stones, a chronological table of the principal orders of Europe, biographies of the leading goldsmiths, Meissonnier, the Germain, Varin, Jean de Bologne, Verrochio, etc., and the history of the six guilds of merchants.
The work is adorned with a frontispiece by Painger engraved by Courtois, 79 plates on various subjects engraved by Mlle Raimbau, showing models of Bracelets, Portrait Boxes, Girandoles, Floral Buckles, Fontange Headpieces, Bodice Clasps, Shoe Buckles, Necklaces, Bows, Rings, Snuffboxes, Watches, Combs, Fan Sticks and various orders, of Malta, Golden Fleece, Holy Spirit, etc. and with an added portrait of the Countess de Bury engraved by Pouget, adorned with a magnificent pearl necklace.
“ Pouget (Jean-Henri-Prosper), the son of a wealthy Parisian goldsmith, joined his father’s profession with the diamond trade and died in 1769 with the reputation of a skilled jeweler.
He left behind a highly regarded work: ‘Treatise on Precious Stones and How to Use Them in Ornaments’, Paris, 1762, in-quarto, with 79 plates; there are copies with hand-colored illustrations; it is a remarkable book where one finds both instruction and delight. After introducing the different stones, gems, even marbles and metals, Pouget provides the catalog of authors who have written about precious stones since Theophrastus, along with an assessment of their works. There follows the chronological and historical account of the principal chivalric orders, their various decorations, and finally the names of goldsmiths distinguished in their profession with an indication of their masterworks.”
From the library of Destailleur (1895, no. 1471).
