Paris, chez l’Auteur, 1785-88.
5 volumes 4to [255 x 188 mm.] illustrated with 5 frontispieces and 362 plates (including 2 repeated twice). Bound in contemporary full sprinkled calf, triple gilt fillet on covers, spine ribbed and decorated, red and green morocco lettering-pieces, gilt edges. Contemporary bindings.
Second edition of this publication presenting the collection of vases formed by Sir Hamilton in Naples between 1764 and 1772. Blackmer 847; Graesse, Trésor de livres rares, 340; Vinet, Bibliographie méthodique et raisonnée des Beaux-Arts, 1528; Cohen, 474; Brunet, II, 536.
The British ambassador in Naples from 1764, Sir William Hamilton took an active part in the researches executed in the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii.
He had his heart set on gathering artistic treasures from the antiquity and he notably acquired an extraordinary collection of antique vases from the Porcinari house that he would give afterwards to the British Museum.
During his stay in Naples, Sir Hamilton who esteemed Pierre-François-Hugues d’Hancarville’s knowledge and artistic talent, asked him to realize a magnificent publication in order to allow an educated and art lover public to admire his collection.
« This represents more than a transition, it is a real progress, and that’s what Millin felt when he placed the start of serious studies of painted vases on d’ Hancarville’s publication. If the uniformity of execution, the unconventional coloring of some vases give a false idea of their paintings, these images are far superior to those given by Passeri, Montfaucon or Caylus. If the luxury of this book is misused…, it reflects the importance given to painted vases that had been neglected until then. Let’s not forget that Sir Hamilton has been a kind of initiator of this area of study. He spent his fortune and his time during the forty years, or nearly so, he lived in Naples as British ambassador, digging, collecting vases, forming two superb collections and showing them. He sold the first one to the British Museum, where it still is, but, before shipping it he asked d’ Hancarville, to publish it, hence the present book. » (Vinet).
« A second edition of this work exists with the same date, but published in 5 volumes 8vo. » (Graesse).
This magnificent work is illustrated with 362 plates drawn and engraved by F.A. David, most of them hand colored at the time.
“This is an inexpensive version of Antiquites & tirees du Cabinet du M. Hamilton which first appeared in 1766. David and d’Hancarville have offered the contents of that work in a more accessible form, mainly for the use of artists and designers” (Blackmer).
A beautiful copy preserved in a fine contemporary uniform sprinkled calf binding.
