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Prendeville, James
Photographic Facsimiles of the Antique Gems Formerly Possessed by the Late Prince Poniatowski, Accompanied by a Description and Poetical Illustrations of Each Subject: Together with an Essay on Ancient Gems and Gem-Engraving. 2 volumes
Prendeville, James: Photographic Facsimiles of the Antique Gems Formerly Possessed by the Late Prince Poniatowski, Accompanied by a Description and Poetical Illustrations of Each Subject: Together with an Essay on Ancient Gems and Gem-Engraving. 2 volumes. London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, 1859. First Series: viii + xxxiv + 126 + x pages. Second Series: pages 127-261 + xxi. In all with 471 original photographs by George L. Collis, pasted singly or in groups onto a card within a gilt vignette. Half bound in publishers red morocco with buckram boards each decorated with a gilt stamped vase. 28.5x22cms. The collection was formed by Prince Stanislas Poniatowski (1754-1833), who commissioned about 2500 gems and encouraged the belief that they were, in fact, ancient. The greater part was the product of a group of gem-engravers in Rome who turned to Classical literature, especially the works of Homer, Vergil and Ovid for inspiration, and not to the many ancient Classical representations which had inspired much Neo-Classical art. As such, it seems to have been generally overlooked as a source for such later depictions of mythological subjects, although comparable works by other Neo-Classical artists, in Britain and on the Continent have been well studied. Poniatowski published a summary catalogue of his gems, Catalogue des Pierres Gravees Antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski, in 1830, with more elaborate descriptions following in two versions in 1833. His collection was sold after his death at a Christie's auction in 1839 (April 29-May 21). The gems were later recognised as 'modern', and were unjustly spurned and sold cheaply. The majority was acquired by John Tyrrell, but some were purchased by others. All have been widely dispersed ever since. Tyrrell published his collection of about 1200 gems in 1841, and republished a selection in 1857 and 1859 with early photographs: James Prendeville, Photographic Facsimiles of the Antique Gems formerly possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski, accompanied by a description and poetical illustrations of each subject carefully selected from classical authors. This was a very early use of photography in an art-historical publication, but only the first 471 pieces were illustrated - and the photos were not taken of the original gems but of impressions. (Beazley Archive).
Reference : 120398
The collection was formed by Prince Stanislas Poniatowski (1754-1833), who commissioned about 2500 gems and encouraged the belief that they were, in fact, ancient. The greater part was the product of a group of gem-engravers in Rome who turned to Classical literature, especially the works of Homer, Vergil and Ovid for inspiration, and not to the many ancient Classical representations which had inspired much Neo-Classical art. As such, it seems to have been generally overlooked as a source for such later depictions of mythological subjects, although comparable works by other Neo-Classical artists, in Britain and on the Continent have been well studied. Poniatowski published a summary catalogue of his gems, Catalogue des Pierres Gravees Antiques de S.A. le Prince Stanislas Poniatowski, in 1830, with more elaborate descriptions following in two versions in 1833. His collection was sold after his death at a Christie's auction in 1839 (April 29-May 21). The gems were later recognised as 'modern', and were unjustly spurned and sold cheaply. The majority was acquired by John Tyrrell, but some were purchased by others. All have been widely dispersed ever since. Tyrrell published his collection of about 1200 gems in 1841, and republished a selection in 1857 and 1859 with early photographs: James Prendeville, Photographic Facsimiles of the Antique Gems formerly possessed by the late Prince Poniatowski, accompanied by a description and poetical illustrations of each subject carefully selected from classical authors. This was a very early use of photography in an art-historical publication, but only the first 471 pieces were illustrated - and the photos were not taken of the original gems but of impressions. (Beazley Archive)
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Thomas Heneage Art Books
Thomas Heneage
42 Duke Street St James's
SW1Y 6DJ Londres
United Kingdom
+44(0)20 7930 9223
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Thomas Heneage and Co. Limited is a company that was founded in 1977 doing business as Thomas Heneage Art Books. It is Registered in England Number 657656 The Registered office and shop is 42 Duke Street St James’s, London SW1Y 6DJ. Our shop in London's gallery district of St. James's is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6pm (otherwise by appointment). Our VAT Number is: GB 242 1045 14 and the responsible director is T. P. W. Heneage. Thomas Heneage and Co. Limited has a fully paid share capital of £37,789. All prices are net. Postage is extra. Payment by Credit Card, PayPal, Cheque in GBP on a UK bank or in USD on a US bank or bank transfer All books are offered subject to prior sale. Books listed will normally be available as our computer updates the database automatically every 24 hours. Shipping: Orders are usually shipped within 2 days of payment Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required. Our Distance-Selling Cancellation Policy Right to cancel You have the right to cancel your orders within 14 days without giving any reason. The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last delivered goods that are covered by this contract. To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, Thomas Heneage Art Books of 42 Duke Street St. James’s, London, SW1Y 6DJ, United Kingdom (Our telephone number: 0044 (0)207 930 9223; E-mail address: artbooks@heneage.com) of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the model cancellation form below, but it is not obligatory To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired. You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. Books must be returned in the same condition as supplied, unused. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. Effects of cancellation If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us). We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you. We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than – (a) 14 days after the day we receive back from you any goods supplied, or (b) (if earlier) 14 days after the day you provide evidence that you have returned the goods, or (c) if there were no goods supplied, 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel this contract. We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of the reimbursement. We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest. Please find our cancellation form in PDF format on our website : http://www.heneage.com/contact.htm Our Complaint Handling Policy We hope that you are happy with our services, but should you wish to make a complaint please feel free to do so in writing to artbooks@heneage.com, and we will address your concerns as swiftly as possible. We are a member of LAPADA and have access to their conciliation services.
