Nouvelle iconologie historique ou attributs hieroglyphiques [...] Nieuwe historische beeldspraak of hieroglyphische merkbeelden

Bilingual first edition in French and Dutch illustrated with 2 frontispieces and 103 numbered plates. 39 pages of explanatory text for the plates with Dutch translation on facing pages.
Contemporary half brown calf binding. Modern boards remade using imitation leather. Endpapers also remade. Red morocco title-label. Tail headcap split revealing adhesive underneath. One raised band missing. Appreciable freshness of paper. A full-margined copy.
Delafosse, architect and ornamentalist, contributed greatly through the publication of his collections to the formation of the Louis XVI style and the first neo-classical style. The work forms an ornamental repertoire for fountains, pyramids, fireplaces, overdoors, borders, medallions, trophies, vases, tomb friezes, clocks, etc. Delafosse's manner uses the symbolic force of allegory by employing an iconic language often highly fantastical.