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1 of 253523 objects
Tapisseries du Roy Louis XIV c.1680
Contemporary red goatskin binding; gold-tooling throughout. Design identical on both sides: outer border, consisting of one double and one single fillet line, with inner border of the same; crowned double-L cypher of Louis XIV at inner corners of panel. In the centre of the border, the three fluer-de-lis of France on a shield, surmounted by a crown and surrounded two chains resembling garter collars, the inner with shells and the outer with fluer-de-lis, helmets, and the letter ‘H’ surmounted by a small crown, with a roundel containing a dove (Order of the Holy Spirit); all surrounded by a leaf and vine wreath in a helix design. Both boards tooled on inside and sides with floral roll border. Original marble end-papers (?). Spine divided into seven compartments by raised bands. Second compartment tooled with floral roll border and title: ‘TAPIS SERIES DV ROY’. All other compartments tooled with floral roll border, with double-L cypher of Louis XIV in the centre, identical tool to that used on both boards. | 53.5 x 39 x 2.2 cm (book measurement (conservation)) | RCIN 1140343
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The Tapisseries du Roy Louis XIV, first published in Paris in 1670, describes in detail the two series of tapestries commissioned by the King on the twin themes of the four elements and the four seasons. The central panels were painted by Le Brun, with emblematic roundels in the borders at each corner after the miniatures of Jacques Bailly (1625-1679).
This copy is lacking a title page, and only contains twelve double-page engravings. Comparison with other editions of the same publications suggests the Royal Library volume may also be lacking another engraved title page, two engraved section titles, 32 emblematic half-page illustrations after Jacques Bailly, three engraved head or tail pieces, and two engraved initials, in addition to any text.Provenance
Presented to the Royal Library by the Queen, 1956.
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Creator(s)
(engraver) -
Medium and techniques
Contemporary red goatskin binding; gold-tooling throughout. Design identical on both sides: outer border, consisting of one double and one single fillet line, with inner border of the same; crowned double-L cypher of Louis XIV at inner corners of panel. In the centre of the border, the three fluer-de-lis of France on a shield, surmounted by a crown and surrounded two chains resembling garter collars, the inner with shells and the outer with fluer-de-lis, helmets, and the letter ‘H’ surmounted by a small crown, with a roundel containing a dove (Order of the Holy Spirit); all surrounded by a leaf and vine wreath in a helix design. Both boards tooled on inside and sides with floral roll border. Original marble end-papers (?). Spine divided into seven compartments by raised bands. Second compartment tooled with floral roll border and title: ‘TAPIS SERIES DV ROY’. All other compartments tooled with floral roll border, with double-L cypher of Louis XIV in the centre, identical tool to that used on both boards.
Measurements
53.5 x 39 x 2.2 cm (book measurement (conservation))
Category