Lot 1130
1130
ARCHITECTURE -- CHAMBERS, (W.). Designs of Chinese Buildings, Furniture, Dresses, Machines, and Utensils. To which is annexed, a Description of their Temples, Houses, Gardens, &c. Lond., Publ. for the Author, 1757. (20), 19 pp. W. 21 fine engr. plates by Fourdrinier, Fougeron, Rooker, Sandby and Grignion depicting Chinese designs of various kinds. Lge-fol. Cont. hcf. backed marbled brds. (Bind. worn/dam. and in need of repair, first lvs. loose(ning), slightly browned/foxed, but contents in v.g. (uncut) condition).
Important work in 18th c. England because it sits at the intersection of art, architecture, and the fascination with 'Chinoiserie' during the Georgian period. Mid 18th c. England saw an intense fascination with Chinese art, design, and decrative motifs. Chambers' book, based on drawings he made during his travels in China, brought what was claimed to be authentic Chinese design to an English audience. His book influenced English garden design and architecture, inspiring the construction of pagodas, tea houses, and ornamental pavilions, most famously the Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens. With a bookplate of Joseph Neeld (1789-1856), who amassed an important collection of paintings, sculpture, and rare books. - Fowler 85 & Kat. d. Orn. St. Samml. 2784 (both listing oddly enough only the parallel French edition); Cordier 1570; Lust 1123; Weinreb cat. 29, 27.€ 1800
Back