Quarter Morocco over Marbled Boards
1872-1875 · Paris
by Viollet-le-Duc, Eugene-Emmanuel
Paris: A. Morel & Cie., 1872-1875. Quarter Morocco over Marbled Boards. Very Good. Over 2000 illustrations including wood engravings, steel engravings and chromolithographs of costumes, heraldic emblems, tile designs, utensils, fabrics, musical instruments, armour, weapons etc. One of the major references on the applied arts of the medieval and renaissance eras. Viollet-le-Duc himself was responsible for the restoration of Carcasonne, Reims Cathedral and many other important architectural and historic sites in France. Indeed, Viollet-le-Duc was a seminal figure in the very notion of preserving the architectural remains of the past without which our modern notions of cultural tourism would be inconceivable. From these projects and his copious writings he had an influence on architectural and preservation thought on par with Pugin, WIlliam Morris or John Ruskin, but of these three only Pugin had anything like the practical hands-on experience of Viollet-le-Duc. VLD's approach was the antithesis of especially Ruskin's, though. While Ruskin argued for a purity of vision which scoffed at adaptations and mixing of styles that he believed misrepresented the past, VLD's practice and philosophy was looser and more geared to sprucing up and beautifying, without too much bother with the niceties of the historical accuracy of the result. In other words, he was not reluctant to "improve" upon the past to make something more pleasing to the senses. Notwithstanding the popular appeal of VLD's work, it has suffered some critical opprobrium from the professional establishment which has in recent years embraced Ruskin's views as gospel. Fortunately, the utility of this set doesn't hinge on one's stance on these things, and it surely attests to the incontroverible erudition and breadth of appreciation of VLD. (8vo) 9.5 by 6.5 inches. The overall title is misleading, for furniture is just one part of the treatment, basically handled in the first volume. The second volume deals with all kinds of utensils, ceramic, musical instruments, some armor (jousting gear, etc.). Vol 3 and 4: costume, jewelry, toilette. Vol 5 and 6: armor. (8vo) 9.5 by 6.5 inches. Within the greater sections there are entries and articles arranged alphabetically. Raised bands, spines lettered in gilt, top edges gilt, original wrappers bound in Some scuffing and wear to leather. Light foxing scattered throughout.
(Inventory #: 001257)