Two Handsome English Ornament Books
A Book of Ornaments in the Palmyrene Taste containing upwards of Sixty New Designs for Ceilings, Pannels, Pateras & Mouldings; with the Raffle Leaves at Large.
Twelve finely engraved leaves. Oblong 4to. London: I. Taylor, [plates dated Sept. 20. 1771].
[bound with]:
—. The Complete Modern Joiner, or a Collection of Original Designs in the Present Taste, for Chimney-Pieces and Door-Cases, with their Mouldings and Enrichments at Large; Frizes, Tablets, Ornaments for Pilasters, Bases, Sub-Bases and Cornices for Rooms, &c. With a Table shewing the Proportion of Chimneys with their Entablatures, to Rooms of any Size…A New Edition. 36 finely engraved plates. Two leaves of text. Oblong 4to, antique half-calf & marbled boards. London: I. Taylor, [plates dated March 30, 1772].
First and second editions, respectively (no copy of the first edition of The Complete Modern Joiner seems to have survived). “Although he described himself as an architect, Wallis is known only as the author of three pattern-books. The first two, published in 1771 and 1772, contain designs for ceilings, panels, door-cases, chimney-pieces, etc. in the ‘antique’ style. These are contemporary with Wyatt’s Pantheon and predate the publication of Adam’s Works (1773-9).”–Harris, British Architectural Books and Writers 1556-1785, p. 467 & nos. 899 & 903.
Fine copies of these handsome and rare ornament books.
Price: $10,000.00
Item ID: 5236
