April 28, 2011

PRINTED 1723: THE MOST IMPORTANT AND ACCLAIMED 18th CENTURY TREATISE ON THE MYSTERY OF CHINESE LAQUER AND VARNISH

AN IMPORTANT TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION, ESPECIALLY IN ITS FRENCH EDITION, TO CHINOISERIE

The Book:

Bonanni, Filippo. Traitè des vernis : où l’on donne la maniere d’en composer un, qui reffemble parfaitment à celui de la Chine, & plufieurs autres qui concernent la painture, la dorure, la gravure à l’eau forte, & c … Publisher: Paris : D’Houry, 1723. small 8vo., 16 x 9.5 cm., 18th century calf and gilt, raised bands, some binding wear including wear to l.r. corner of front board, and head and tail of spine, ex-libris pen to flyleaf and stamp to t.p., some light browning and spotting. COMPLETE and RARE. [SOLD]

This is the first French translation of Filippo Bonanni’s highly important treatise on Chinese lacquer, providing an historical overview of its introduction to Europe and early Chinese trading with the West, as well as a technical guide to some of its “mysteries”. Various recipes are presented as affordable alternatives as well as suggestions for their best use and application. There existed great commercial interests in improving European lacquerware based on Chinese models. In France, imitation lacquerware had been produced at the Gobelins factory since 1672. The suggestions in this treatise were employed in the decoration of the petits appartmements at Versailles but also for a vast range of domestic articles based on decorative designs by Boucher and other well known artists of the period.

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