Western Europe, France, Paris, ca. 1719 CE. Dom Bernard de Montfaucon (French, 1655-1741). "L'Antiquite Expliquee, et Representee en Figures" volume 4, 1719. "The Cloisters" collection label on interior of cover. A fascinating first edition codex! The first part of the fourth volume of "L'Antiquite Expliquee, et Representee en Figures" - or "Antiquity Explained and Represented in Diagrams" in English - written by Dom Bernard de Montfaucon, O.S.B., a French Benedictine monk of the Congregation of Saint Maur and astute scholar who founded the discipline of paleography. Published in Paris in 2019, the leatherbound book was one of 15 volumes total and features 174 pages containing 113 illustrated plates that primarily explain wars, vehicles, bridges, aqueducts, and navigation in Antiquity. Montfaucon is additionally considered one of the founders of the modern discipline of archaeology who laid the foundation for the study of Greek manuscripts and brought the Bayeux Tapestry to the attention of the public. Size: 17.6" L x 11.6" W (44.7 cm x 29.5 cm)
As evident by the label on the interior, this book was previously owned by Sumner A. Parker (1881-1946) and his wife G. Dudrea Parker (1883-1972) of The Cloisters castle in Maryland. According to The Cloisters website, the Parkers "dared to dream of constructing an authentic Gothic manor house in the Maryland countryside. The Parkers spent the decades between their 1905 marriage and the outbreak of World War II working towards this goal. To this end, they traveled extensively throughout Europe, collecting artwork and artifacts as well as architectural elements and antique furniture. All of these were shipped to a warehouse in Baltimore, where they were stored while the Parkers meticulously prepared to build their unique home. Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Parker found the ideal location, 60 wooded acres on a hilltop in Baltimore County that reminded them of their favorite part of France, and began construction around 1929." This example may have been acquired during one of those extensive European voyages.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA
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#175633
Condition
Cover and first 2 pages detached. Tearing and losses to leather cover and some foxing throughout. A few small piercings to peripheries of pages and light wrinkle to page 34. Otherwise, in fair condition contain "The Cloisters" collection label on interior of cover.