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Large and thin iron tsuba of round form (width > height) decorated with the design of a tiger sheltering in bamboo in suemon-zōgan brass inlay. A fragment of tail inlay is missing. Bamboo leaves on the reverse. According to Merrily Baird [Symbols, p. 166], tiger sheltering in bamboo symbolizes "weak giving shelter to the strong". Momoyama period. Unsigned. Dimensions: 90.8 x 91.2 x 3.4 (center), 3.1 (rim) mm. Custom wooden box. NBTHK Certificate № 4001593. -
Iron tsuba of round form pierced (sukashi) and inlaid in flat (hira-zōgan) and cast brass (suemon-zōgan), details carved in kebori, with design of two phoenixes, bamboo, and paulownia leaves and flowers (kiri-mon) on both sides. According to seller: Bizen-Yoshirō school (or Heianjō school). Unsigned.
Momoyama period. End of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century. Dimensions: Diameter: 99.5 mm; Thickness: 2.1 mm at centre; 4.3 mm at the rim. According to Merrily Baird (Symbols of Japan), "bamboo teamed with paulownia blossoms or with paulownia and the phoenix, in reference to the Chinese legend that the phoenix perches only on the paulownia and eats only the bamboo". Citation from http://www.clevelandart.org/art/1986.2.1: "The immense heraldic birds on display [...] reflect the Momoyama era's spirit of newly gained self-confidence and an affinity for grand expressive statements in painting, architecture, the textile and ceramic arts, as well as garden design. While that period preceded the arrival of prosperity, it clearly marked an extraordinary moment in Japanese cultural history, one frequently compared with the twelfth century of the Heian period. [...] Rather than an emblem of immortality, as it is in Western lore, in Japan, the phoenix evolved out of its origins in Chinese mythology to become, by the sixteenth century, an auspicious symbol of political authority. Together with clusters of the distinctively shaped paulownia leaves, this long-tailed, mythical bird [...] proclaiming an air of graceful command". -
Tsuba of oval form decorated with vines, tendrils, and leaves on trellis in brass inlay with details carved in kebori, and pierced with six family crests (mon) with two, three and four pointing stars in openwork, each outlined with brass wire and carved in kebori. Original hitsu-ana outlined with brass wire was probably enlarged later. Copper sekigane.
Momoyama to early Edo period (end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century). Dimensions: 68.3 x 64.5 x 3.4 mm. -
Iron tsuba of mokkō form (mokkōgata) pierced (sukashi) and inlaid with precast dark brass inlay (taka-zōgan) with somewhat abstract/geometrical design that can be liberally described as pines, mist, and snow.
Momoyama or early Edo period. End of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century. Heianjō school. Unsigned. Dimensions: 86.8 x 82.9 x 4.5 mm. -
Iron tsuba of round form (tsurumaru) decorated with a design of crane and pines, or "nesting crane (sugomori-tsuru)" in openwork (sukashi). Details carved in kebori. Rounded rim.
Size: 74.7 x 69.8 x 4.8 mm.
Unsigned.
Edo period, ca. 17th century.
NBTHK Certificate № 463485. The certificate says it's a Higo School piece. The design was popular in both Akasaka and Higo schools. The Akasaka example: at Kodogu and tsuba. International collections not published in my books. (Toso Soran). Ph. D. Kazutaro Torigoye, 1978, p. 246: "Late Edo. Jiyūgata. Sined: Akasaka Tadanori saku."The Higo example can be found at Iron tsuba. The works of the exhibition "Kurogane no hana", The Japanese Sword Museum, 2014, p. 69, №56: Sugomori-tsuru sukashi-tsuba (Nesting Carne). Mumei: Matashichi (1st generation), early 17th century.
Torigoye, 1978, p. 246. Late Akasaka.
Kurogane no hana, 2014, p. 69, №56. Higo tsuba.
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Iron tsuba of round form pierced with the design of slanting rays of light (Christian motif, Jesuit’s IHS symbol) in positive silhouette (ji-sukashi). This design is often called “tokei” [時計], or “clock gear”. Nakaga-ana fitted with copper sekigane. Rounded rim. Unsigned. Higo school. Early Edo period, mid-17th century (1632-1650).Size: 78.3 x 77.0 x 5.3 mm
For information regarding this type of tsuba see the article 'Kirishitan Ikenie Tsuba by Fred Geyer at Kokusai Tosogu Kai; The 2nd International Convention & Exhibition, October 18-23, 2006, pp. 84-91. School and age attribution thanks to Bruce Kirkpatrick. . 
IHS emblem of the Jesuits
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Quarter calf over marbled boards, 16 x 9 cm, spine with raised bands, gilt in compartments, gilt-lettered label, all margins red, two title-pages (one for each vol.), illustrated with engraved frontispiece by Antonio Baratti after Antonio Balestra; engraved portrait of John Milton by Antonio Baratti, 12 plates, one for each book, after “Piazzetta, Zucchi, Balestra, Tiepolo, and other Venetian artists”, unsigned; plate II signed ‘Antonio Barati scul.’ Title page: IL PARADISO | PERDUTO | POEMA INGLESE | DI GIOVANNI MILTON | TRADOTTO DAL SIG. | PAOLO ROLLI | Con le Annotazioni | DI G. ADDISON | E alcune Osservazioni critiche. | TOMO PRIMO (SECUNDO). | {publisher’s device} | IN PARIGI , MDCCLVIII. | — | A spese di Bartolommeo Occhi. | LIBRAJO VENETO. || Collation: *-**12 ***8 (dedication, vita), A-R12 (vol. 1) A-K12 L9 (vol.2); total 365 leaves plus 14 engraved plates, incl. frontispiece and portrait. Pagination: [i, ii] iii-lxiv 1-407 [408 blank], [2] 3-258; total 730 pages. Catalogue raisonné: Wickenheiser Collection 688 [LIB-2795.2021]. Though it states 228 pp., which does not seem right. “Scarce. Not in Coleridge”. Contributors: Milton, John (British, 1608 – 1674) – author. Joseph Addison (British, 1672 – 1719) – author / criticism Paolo Antonio Rolli (Italian, 1687 – 1765) – author / transaltion Bartolomeo Occhi (Italian, 1730 – 1781) – publisher. Antonio Baratti (Italian, 1724 – 1787) – engraver Antonio Balestra (Italian, 1666 – 1740) – artist. Giovanni Battista Piazzetta (Italian,1682/83 – 1754) – artist. Antonio Zucchi (Italian, 1726 – 1795) – artist. Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (Italian, 1696 – 1770) – artist. -
Iron tsuba of round form with a Marsilea (water clover, paddy plant, denjiso) in openwork (sukashi) and a cricket carved in low relief (katakiribori) with extremities and one antenna inlaid with brass; the other antenna is carved in kebori (which antenna is inlaid and which is carved alternates on the face and on the reverse). The plate decorated with vertical file stroke ornamentation (tate-yasurime). Raised dam-shaped rim (dote-mimi). Inscription from a previous collector in red oil paint: 22-71-1. Edo period, possibly 17th century. Katchushi school.Size: 75.0 x 74.4 x 3.6 (center), 5.0 (rim) mm.
The plant Marsilea (paddy plant, denjiso), common names include water clover and four-leaf clover because the long-stalked leaves have four clover-like lobes and are either held above water or submerged. In The elements of Japanese design by John W. Dower, this motif is listed under the numbers 634-35 Paddy Plant (denjiso). Obviously, as a four-leaf clover it is an auspicious symbol. The four leaves radiate out as the shape of the kanji 田 (romaji 'ta'), which means 'rice paddy'. This symbol may be used as a family crest (mon), and this would be the most probable explanation of the sukashi on this tsuba. -
Iron tsuba of round form with design of slanting rays of light (shakoh) or clock gear (tokei) in openwork (sukashi). Commonly considered a Christian / Jesuit motif. Copper sekigane. According to seller, Owari School. Haynes writes that most tsuba of this design are Owari (Tsuba. Aesthetic Study). Unsigned. Edo period. According to F. Geyer, diamond-shaped vertical posts and long rays suggest that this tsuba was probably made between 1605 and 1630.Size: 76.9 x 76.0 x 5.4 mm
For information regarding shakoh tsuba see article 'Kirishitan Ikenie Tsuba by Fred Geyer at Kokusai Tosogu Kai; The 2nd International Convention & Exhibition, October 18-23, 2006, pp. 84-91. -
Title: ACADEMIE | DES | SCIENCES | ET DES | ARTS, | Contenant les Vies & les Eloges Historiques des | Hommes Illustres, | Qui ont excellé en ces Professions depuis environ quatre Siécles | parmy diverses Nations de l’Europe : |Avec leurs Pourtraits tirez sur des Originaux au Naturel, & plusieurs Inscriptions | funebres, exactement recueïlies de leurs Tombeaux | Par Isaac Bullart , Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint Michel. | TOME PREMIER | {allegorical vignette, signed Abr. A Diepenbeke delineavit – Pet. Clouwet sculp.} | Imprimé par les soins de l’Autheur. | A AMSTERDAM, | Se vendent chez les Heritiers de Daniel Elzevier, 1682. || Pagination : [2] – h.t. / blank ; [2] – 1st vol. t.p. in black and red with vignette engraved by Pet. Clouwet after Abr. Diepenbeke / blank; [7] – dedication to Jacques Theodore de Brias {Jacques-Théodore de Bryas (Dutch, 1630 – 1694)}, [9] – preface, [2] – table demonstrative / stanza by Guilielmus Riverius, [2] vinette “Tardius sed grandius” with an elephant in ornamental frame / text; [2] – Advis au lecteur; [1, 2] – f.t. livre premiere, illustres politiques / blank; [2] – noms politiques / blank (A1, after f.t.), 3(A2)-421, [422-424] – table eloges. Collation: [*]6, **8, A6 B-Ggg4. (14 prelim. leaves, as in LIB-2675.2021; the LIB-2676.2021 copy has 12) Binding: 34.5 x 22 x 4.3 cm.34.5 x 22 x 4.3 cm, hardbound; full calf, raised bands. The title is drawn by Abraham van Diepenbeeck (Dutch, 1596 - 1675) and engraved by Peeter Clouwet (Flemish, 1629–1670). The first volume of a two-volume set contains 119 copperplate burin-engraved portraits of selected politicians, historians, jurists, writers, and Italian artists. 26 portraits engraved by Esme de Boulonois (French,1645 – 1681), 3 unsigned, and the rest engraved by Nicolas de Larmessin I (French, 1632 – 1694)Lavinia Vecellio, (Italian, 1530 – 1575), Titian' daughter, engraved by Lamerssin after Titian, Portrait of Jacques Auguste de Thou engraved by de Boulonois after Daniel Dumonstier. Politicians: Antoine Perrenot, Cardinal de Granvelle; Arnaud d'Ossat, Cardinal; Auger Busbeque; Bessarion, Cardinal; François Ximenes, Cardinal; George d'Amboise, Cardinal; Gille Albornoz, Cardinal; Guillaume de Croy; Guy du Faur de Pybrac; Jacques Auguste de Thou; Jean de Selve; Jean Zamoski; Jean de Barnevelt; Jean Armand du Plessis, Cardinal de Richelieu; Jule Mazarin, Cardinal; Michel de l'Hospital; Renaud Pole, Cardinal; Stanislas Hosius, Cardinal; Thomas Morus; Thomas Wolsey, Cardinal. Historians: Bertrand d'Argentré; Cæsar Baronius, Cardinal; Emanuel de Meteren; Enguerand de Monstrelet; Florimond de Remond; François Guicciardin; Fulve Ursin; Guillaume Camden; Henry Catherine d'Avila; Hubert Goltzius; Jacques Amiot; Jean Aventin; Jean Baptiste Platina; Jean Barclay; Jean Froissard; Jean Papirius Masson; Nicolas le Febure; Olivier de la Marche; Onuphre Panuinius; Pandolphe Collenuce; Paul Jove; Philippe de Commines; Pontus Heuterus; Regino Abbé de Prumy; Robert Gaguin; Wolfgang Lazius. Jurists: Alexandre de Tartagnis; André Alciat; André Tiraqueau; Antoine Augustin; Antoine le Febvre; Boece Epo; Charles du Moulin; François Bauduin; Gabriel Mudée; Jacques Cuias; Jason Mainus; Jean Wamese; Mathieu Wesenbec; Philippe Dece; Pierre Peckius; Pierre Pithou; Tibere Decian; Viglius de Zuichem. Writers/Linguists: Ange Politian; Demetrius Chalcondyles; Emanuel Chrysoloras; François Philelphe; François Raphelenge; Guillaume Postel; Jean Argyropilus; Jean Bocace; Jean Lascaris; Jean Passerat; Jean Pierius Valerianus; Jeanne Gray; Nicolas Clenard; Pierre Nannius; Rudolphe Agricola; Theodore Gaza. Italian painters, architects, and sculptors: André Mantegna; André Organa; André del Sarto; André Tafi; André Verrochio; Antoine de Correge; Antoine de Messine; Arnoud di Lappo; Baccio Bandinel; Balthazar Perusi; Bramante d'Urbin; Daniel Ricciarelli; Dominique Beccafumi; Donato; François Mazzuoli; François Primatici; Frere Philippe Lippi; Giorgion; Giotto; Jacques Barozzi de Vignole; Jean Antoine Licinio de Pordenone; Jean Cimabue; Jean d'Udine; Jean François Rustici; Jule Romain; Le Rosso; Leonard de Vinci; Masaccio; Michel-Ange Buonarotti; Perin del Vaga; Philippe Bruneleschi; Philippe Lippi; Polidore de Caravage; Propertia de Rossi; Raphael Sanzio d'Urbin; Sandro Boticelli; Simon Memmi; Taddée Gaddi; Titian Uccello. -
Title: ACADEMIE | DES | SCIENCES | ET DES | ARTS, | Contenant les Vies & les Eloges Historiques des | Hommes Illustres, | Qui ont excellé en ces Professions depuis environ quatre Siécles | parmy diverses Nations de l’Europe : |Avec leurs Pourtraits tirez sur des Originaux au Naturel, & plusieurs Inscriptions | funebres, exactement recueïlies de leurs Tombeaux | Par Isaac Bullart , Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint Michel. | TOME PREMIER | {allegorical vignette, signed Abr. A Diepenbeke delineavit – Pet. Clouwet sculp.} | Imprimé par les soins de l’Autheur. | A PARIS, | Se vendent chez Loüis Bilane, Marchand Libraire à la ruë S. Jaques, | & au Palais, M. DC. LXXXII. || Pagination : [2] – h.t. / blank ; [2] – 1st vol. t.p. in black and red with vignette engraved by Pet. Clouwet after Abr. Diepenbeke / blank; [7] – dedication to Jacques Theodore de Brias {Jacques-Théodore de Bryas (Dutch, 1630 – 1694)}, [9] – preface, [2] – table demonstrative / stanza by Guilielmus Riverius, [2] – vignette “Tardius sed grandius” with an elephant in ornamental frame / text; [2] – noms politiques / blank (A1 before f.t.), [2] – f.t. livre premiere, illustres politiques / blank, 3(A2)-421, [422-424] – table eloges; [2] – f.t. tome second / blank, [2] – 2nd vol. t.p. in black and red with vignette…, [4] – advertisement, [2] – livre premier f.t. / blank, [2] – noms theologiens / blank, 1-501, [3] – table eloges. Collation : vol.1: [*]6, **6, A6 B-Ggg4; vol. 2: *4, **2, A-Sss4. (12 prelim. leaves, while in LIB-2239.2019 and in LIB-2675.2021 there is 14 prelim. leaves). Binding: contemporary full calf, size: 34 x 23 x 7.2 cm; crimson label with gilt lettering separated. Provenance: Bookplate of Sir Philip Crampton Smyly to the front pastedown; Stephen White Collection. The title is drawn by Abraham van Diepenbeeck (Dutch, 1596 - 1675) and engraved by Pieter Clouwet (Flemish, 1629–1670). The volume illustrated throughout with 279 portraits of important scientists, artists, thinkers, explorers, printers, and others of the period by a variety of artists. Tome 1: 120 plates of which 30 engraved by Esme de Boulonois (French, 1645 – 1681), 87 by Nicolas de Larmessin I (French, 1632 – 1694)Lavinia Vecellio (Italian, 1530 – 1575) engraved by Lamerssin after Titian, Portrait of Jacques Auguste de Thou engraved by de Boulonois after Daniel Dumonstier (French, 1574 – 1646). Tome 2: 159 plates of which 63 by Esme de Boulonois, 79 by Nicolas de Larmessin, 15 unsigned, 1 by Pieter Clouwet, and 1 by Wenceslaus Hollar (Bohemian, 1607 – 1677). Portraits of Knelme Digby, Juste Lipse, Nicolas Claude Fabri de Peiresc, Michel Mirevelt, Jacques Calot, Martin Richart, Pierre Paul Rubens, Venceslas Coberghe, Theodore Rombouts, Adrien Brouwer, Simon Vouet, Gerard Segers, Gaspar de Crayer, Antoine Van Dyck himself, and his wife Mary Ruthven – after Anthony Van Dyck. Young Man with a Skull engraved by Esme de Boulonois after Lucas van Leyden (Dutch, c. 1494 – 1533). Portrait of Louis Arioste engraved by Nicolas de Larmessin after Titian. Portrait of Balthasar de Castillon engraved by Nicolas de Larmessin after Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Italian, 1483 – 1520). Petrarch's Laura – by Larmessin after Palma Vecchio (Italian, c. 1480 – 1528). Vittoria Colonne – by Larmessin after Sebastiano del Piombo (Italian, c. 1485 – 1547). The portrait of Albert Durer is engraved by Esme de Boulonois after Tommaso Vincidor (Flemish, 1493 – 1536). Vol. 1, Book 1. Politicians Vol. 1, Book 2. Historians Vol. 1, Book 3. Jurists Vol. 1, Book 4. Writes and Linguists Vol. 1, Book 5. Italian Artists Vol. 2, Book 1. Theologians Vol. 2, Book 2. Philosophers, Mathematicians, Astronomers, and Physicians Vol. 2, Book 3. Scientists Vol. 2, Book 4. Inventors and Explorers Vol. 2, Book 5. Poets Vol. 2, Book 6. Netherlandish painters -
Title: ACADEMIE | DES | SCIENCES | ET DES | ARTS, | Contenant les Vies & les Eloges Historiques des | Hommes Illustres, | Qui ont excellé en ces Professions depuis environ quatre Siécles | parmy diverses Nations de l’Europe : |Avec leurs Pourtraits tirez sur des Originaux au Naturel, & plusieurs Inscriptions | funebres, exactement recueïlies de leurs Tombeaux | Par Isaac Bullart , Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint Michel. | TOME PREMIER | {allegorical vignette, signed Abr. A Diepenbeke delineavit – Pet. Clouwet sculp.} | Imprimé par les soins de l’Autheur. | A AMSTERDAM, | Se vendent chez les Heritiers de Daniel Elzevier, 1682. || Vol. 1: Pagination: 2 blank end-leaves, [2] – Two-volumes h.t. / blank ; [2] – 1st vol. t.p. in black and red with vignette engraved by Pieter Clouwet (Flemish, 1629–1670) after Abraham van Diepenbeeck (Dutch, 1596 - 1675), book-label 'I. A. Aubert' pasted / blank; [7] – dedication to Jacques Theodore de Brias {Jacques-Théodore de Bryas (Dutch, 1630 – 1694)}, [9] – preface, [2] – table demonstrative / stanza by Guilielmus Riverius, [2] – vignette “Tardius sed grandius” with an elephant in ornamental frame / text; [2] – Advis au lecteur; [1, 2] – noms politiques / blank (A1), 3(A2)-416, 2 blank end-leaves; laking 8 last pages 417-424 if compared to Paris 2 in 1 vol. edition LIB-2676.2021, and lacking 4 last pages if compared with another Amsterdam edition LIB-2239.2019. These last 4 pages contain portraits and eulogies of François Primatici and Jacques Barozzi de Vignole. Collation: 4to; [*]6, **8, A6 B-Fff4, lacking Ggg4, 118 plates (instead of 120) within a collation. Vol. 2: Pagination: 2 blank end-leaves, [2] – tome second h.t. / blank ; [2] – 2nd vol. t.p. in black and red with vignette similar to vol. 1, with book-label 'I. A. Aubert' / blank; [4] – advertissement; [2] – f.t. Theologiens / blank; [2] – noms theologiens / blank 1-501 [3] – table eloges, 1 blank end-leaf. Collation: 4to; [*]4, **2, A-Sss4, 159 plates within a collation. Binding: both volumes uniformly bound in full contemporary cream vellum with blind double fillet over boards, raised bands, compartments tooled in black, brown calf labels with gilt lettering to spine. Printed on laid paper, with tall "s", all margins sprinkled red; the size of each vol.: 32.2 x 20.5 x 4.7 cm. A full description of plates, as well as their images, presented in LIB-2676.2021. -
White jade Bi of three concentrical circles: double helix outer, intertwined serpents in the middle and a dragon in centre, carved in openwork and low-relief. China, the Ming Dynasty [大明] (1368 – 1644). Diameter: 15.9 cm; Height: 0.5 cm. -
Title: THE | GRAND CONSPIRACY | OF THE | Members again∫t the Minde, | OF | Jewes again∫t their King. | As it hath beene delivered in the | foure following Sermons, | BY | John Allington, [A ∫eque∫tered Divine.] | — | {ornament} | — | LONDON, | Printed by J.G. for R. Royston, | at the Angel in Ivie-lane, 1654.|| Contents: Grand conspiracy of Jewes against their King. A sermon preached in August 1647; Grand conspiracy of Jewes against their King. A sermon preached in January 1649; Grand conspiracy of Jewes against their King. A demonstration of the highest insolencies proceed from men of the lowest and most base extractions Pagination: [2] – t.p. / blank; 1-214. Collation: 12mo; A-I12. Binding: Hardcover; 15 x 9.5 cm, later blind-stamped morocco, raised bands, gilt lettering in compartments. Inscription: Ink by hand by John Bartham, January 30, 1665, to t.p. verso; Pencil by hand to front pastedown: Wing A 1209A. -
Title: AN | ESSAY | CONCERNING | HUMANE UNDERSTANDING, |—| In Four BOOKS. |—| Written by JOHN LOCKE, Gent. |—| The Third EDITION. |—| Quam bellum est velle confiteri potius nescire quod nes- | cias, quam ista effutientem nauseare, atque ipsum sibi | displicere! Cic. De Natur. Deor. l. I. |—| LONDON: | Printed for Awnsham and John Churchil, at the Black | Swan in Pater-Noster-Row, and Samuel Manship, at the | Ship in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange, 1695. Collation: [π2]-b6, a-c4, B-Z4 Aa-Zz4 Aaa-Fff4 Ggg-Iii2 Pagination: [40] 1-407 [13]. Catalogue raisoné: The works of John Locke; a comprehensive bibliography from the seventeenth century to the present. Compiled by John C. Attig. Series: Bibliographies and Indexes in Philosophy, Number 1. Greenwood Press, Westport, CT & London, England, 1985. p. 42, №230 provides for pagination [40] 407, [13]p. Page by page reprint of 1694 edition. Regarding the epigraph on t.p.: The correct citation from , De Natura Deorum: "Quam bellum erat, Vellei, confiteri potius nescire, quod nescires, quam ista effutientem nauseare atque ipsum sibi displicere." [How delightful it would be, Velleius, if when you did not know a thing you would admit your ignorance, instead of uttering this drivel, which must make even your own gorge rise with disgust!] This life-time edition was presented as a gift to Dr Elisha Atkins (1949 – 2019), professor at Yale University School of Medicine, on July 1st, 1967, by his students, namely Carolyn Wells [Bush] (1923 – 2013), John Mooney (now a psychiatrist in Boston), and Charles Dinarello. Size: 32 x 23 cm Binding: Fill modern morocco, panelled and ruled gilt, raised bands, gilt in compartments, red label with gilt lettering; in a slipcase. -
THE | POETICAL | WORKS | OF | Mr. John Milton. | Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, | Sampson Agonistes, and his Poems | on several Occasions. | TOGETHER WITH | Explanatory NOTES on each Book of the | PARADISE LOST, and a TABLE | never before Printed. | LONDON: | Printed for Jacob Tonson, at Judges-Head near Inner-Temple-| Gate in Fleet – street , M DC XC V. || Pagination: [6] 1-343 [5] 1-66 [4] 1-57 [5] 1-60 [2] 321 [1], frontispiece and 12 plates, one before each book of Paradise Lost. Collation: 4to, folio; blank leaf, π3 B2, C-Z4, Aa-Yy4, A-H4 I2, [A]-D2 †D2 E-Q2 [A]1 B-Z2 Aa-Zz2 Aaa-Zzz2 Aaaa-Mmmm2 [N]1, 2 blank leaves, + frontis. portrait and 12 plates extraneous to collation. Plates: Portrait of John Milton (British, 1608 – 1674) engraved by Robert White (British, 1645 – 1703) after William Faithorne (British, 1616 – 1691) 11 plates engraved by Michael Burghers (Dutch, c. 1640 – c. 1723) after John Baptiste de Medina (Flemish, 1659 –1710); 1 plate (for Book IV) engraved by Peter-Paul Bouché (Dutch, 1646 – c. 1697) after Bernard Lens (British, 1659 – 1725). Binding: Folio, bound in full contemporary English panelled and speckled calf, tooled in blind, re-backed, corners repaired, the lines in Paradise Lost numbered; title pages of Paradise Regain'd and Samson Agonistes dated 1695; without a list of subscribers after the general title; with the Table for Paradise Lost; printed on laid paper, with tall "s", margins sprayed red. Provenance: near-contemporary ex libris of Sarah Bugg inside front board; along with that of Sam Bontham, 1726; later owned by forger Osborne Charles Vyse Aldis (1843 – 1916), with his signature on general title, with a nine-line note in his hand and initialled on page 343. Catalogue raisonné: Gordon N. Ray, Illustrated book in England (1976): p. 3. Ref: National Gallery of Art Contributors: Bouché, Peter-Paul (Dutch, 1646 – c. 1697) Burghers, Michael (Dutch, c. 1640 – c. 1723) Faithorne, William (British, 1616 – 1691) Lens, Bernard (British, 1659 – 1725) Medina, John Baptiste de (Flemish, 1659 – 1710) Milton, John (British, 1608 – 1674) Tonson, Jacob, the Elder (British, 1655 – 1736) White, Robert (British, 1645 – 1703) -
Title: AN ESSAY | Towards a | REAL CHARACTER, | And a | PHILOSOPHICAL | LANGUAGE. | By John Wilkins D.D. Dean of Ripon, | And Fellow of the ROYAL SOCIETY. |—| [armorial device] |—| LONDON, | Printed for Sa: Gellibrand, and for | JOHN MARTYN Printer to the ROYAL | SOCIETY, 1668. Pagination: [2] blank/order, [2] t.p./blank, [16], 1-454; + 79 leaves of Dictionary, unpaginated (158 pages); Illustrations: folding plates before pp. 167, 187, and two folding plates before p. 443. Collation: π2 a-d2 B-Z4 Aa-Zz4 Aaa-Lll4 Mmm3 aaa4 Aaa-Sss4 ttt3 Size: 4to, 32 x 20 x 5 cm; Binding: Full speckled calf, later polished calf spine with raised bands, double fillet ruled gilt compartments, crimson label with gilt lettering, margins sprinkled red. The work of John Wilkins is dedicated to the problem of the universal language. Wilkins was the Dean of Ripon from 1663 to 1672 and one of the founders of the Royal Society. -
Iron tsuba of round form with design of the Chinese character for cinnabar (shu-no-ji) in openwork (sukashi). Round-cornered rim. Copper sekigane. Kanayama school. Early Edo period: Early 17th century (Kan-ei era). Height: 70.0 mm. Width: 69.6 mm. Rim thickness: 6.8 mm. Center thickness: 5.8 mm. Provenance: Sasano Masayuki Collection, № 139: "Many areas have a coarse texture and strong tekkotsu, with the thickness of the metal graduating from the rim to the seppa-dai. The combined color of the iron and motif date this work to the early Edo period".
