Lot 1142
1142
EMBLEM BOOKS -- EGYPT -- VALERIANO, G.P. Hieroglyphica sive de sacris Aegyptiorum literis commentarii. Basel, (M. Isingrin), 1556. (6), 424, (26) lvs. W. full-p. portr. of the author on v° title-p., many fine woodcut illustr. & initials in text, woodcut printer's mark on title-p. and last leaf. Fol. Cont. cf., spine w. gilt dec. & lettering. (Rebacked, covers preserved but dam. espec. the lower one, stained espec. at end, library ticket on upper paste down, stamps on title-p. & intermittent throughout, tear in leaf 1G4 and in 4 index lvs., lvs. 1M3 and 1M4 w. rep. to margins, some woodcuts expurgated with ink).
A great Renaissance encyclopedia of symbolism. The author not only collected from the relatively new (pseudo-)science of hieroglyphics, but also from medieval lapidaries and bestiaries, as well as the Alexandrine lore preserved in the famous Physiologus; the basic attitude however is clearly Christian. Systematically arranged, fully indexed and richly illustrated, this work remained authoritative until the end of the 17th century. - Adams V-50; Graesse VI-2, 239; Praz p. 521. - Sold w.a.f., not subject to return.€ 500
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