Lot 114
Plate 30: "Women's Quarters, Vase Profile". This specific plate records an ancient Greek vase depicting the gynaeceum (the women's quarters of a private Greek household). It typically captures a portrait or interaction of classical women in profile as rendered on ancient Campanian or Attic pottery. D'Hancarville structured these volumes to show both the "rolled out" narrative illustrations found on the body of the vase and technical geometric profile lines detailing the structural shape (profile) of the vessel itself. Plates like this fundamentally changed European design. The bold, minimalist, dual-tone depictions directly inspired the Neoclassical movement, serving as direct blueprints for luxury manufacturers like Josiah Wedgwood's Etruria pottery factory Printed in Naples, written by the English, and fêted by the French Brunet calls it an ouvrage précieux, exécuté avec beaucoup de luxe, while in Cohen-de Riccis judgement it is an edition splendide et de grand luxe, this work represents the culmination of the 18th-century European antiquarian impulse. It describes William Hamiltons first ancient vase collection, assembled by Hamilton after his appointment to the court of Naples in 1764, and is profusely illustrated with fine hand-coloured engravings which not only helped change the way art historians looked at the humble pot, but is also of great importance in the development of neo-classical designs for pottery and porcelain; it influenced Wedgwood especially (Blackmer). Pierre François Hugues, an authority on ancient art, had introduced Hamilton to the Porcinari family, the owners of a large collection of ancient classical vases which Hamilton bought and enlarged, and then sold to the British Museum in 1772. Before their shipment of England, all the objects were listed, drawn and described under the supervision of the brilliant but unscrupulous 'baron'. The first two volumes of the catalogue were issued in 1767-1770, but publication was then interrupted by Hugues's expulsion from Naples, apparently for debt, and Hamilton had to overcome the difficulty of finding his copper-plates in the hands of creditors. Although Blackmer states that the edition was of 500 copies, it appears that only 100 copies of the two later volumes were issued (cf. I. Jenkins and K. Sloan Vases and Volcanoes, 1996, p.49), and this, together with the nine year gap in publication, would explain the relatively high number of incomplete sets. Berlin Kat 890; Blackmer 845 (435 plates); Brunet I, 321; Cohen-de Ricci 474. The estimated market value for an individual, authentic first-edition print of Plate 30 ("Women's Quarters, Vase Profile") from Sir William Hamiltons 17661776 Collection of Etruscan, Greek and Roman Antiquities generally ranges between $600 and $1,200 USD. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request
- Dimensions: 16" x 18" and 17" x 19.25"
- Condition: Excellent Condition
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $49 | $5 |
| $50 | $99 | $5 |
| $100 | $199 | $10 |
| $200 | $499 | $25 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $9,999 | $250 |
| $10,000 + | $500 |