Two 17th-century manuscript inventories describing the considerable estate of the deceased Damoiselle Agnès de Het, wife of Jacques Lecouvreur, seigneur of Renancourt. Ink on paper, the first dated 11 January 1649, the second 23 November 1649, both in fine secretarial hands.
54; 7 leaves (final blank). Folio (both ca. 300 x 210 mm.), orig. stitching. [Amiens]: 1649.
A rare survival on the market, two mid-17th-century inventories describing the estate of Agnès de Het, wife of a feudal lord, who was councillor to the king. They lived on the outskirts of Amiens. We have found a record of de Het’s husband, Lecouvreur, agreeing to rent land in 1688, but we are not able to find any record of de Het’s life. These two manuscripts provide an exhaustive listing of a 17th-century noble family’s numerous possessions.
The first document (54 leaves), signed on the final leaf by Lecouvreur, is a complete inventory of this family’s belongings. It lists not only household items, but also a variety of luxury items, such as a golden coffeepot, a necklace holding fourteen diamonds, a golden ring encrusted with a diamond, two pearl necklaces, a silver clock, etc. Also recorded are tables, tablecloths, napkins, a mirror, clothing, carpets, several chests, other furniture, etc.
The second manuscript (7 leaves) records the final record of de Het’s belongings. Unidentified signatory on the final leaf.
Early inventories from the 17th century are quite scarce on the market, and the present manuscripts are exceptionally informative on the life and possessions of a wealthy woman of the period.
In very good condition; minor dampstaining to a number of leaves.
Price: $1,750.00
Item ID: 7003
