**Originally Listed At $250**

Europe, France, 18th century. Two original engravings from "L'Antiquite Expliquee et Representee en Figures" by Bernard de Mountfaucon (French, 1655-1741). Published in Paris in 1719. Supplement published in 1724. A beautiful pair of large format engravings - "Isis" plate 111 and "Dieux, Caracteres et Pretres Egyptiens" plate 140 - from French antiquarian Bernard de Montfaucon's comprehensive encyclopedia of classical monuments and antiquites titled "L'Antiquite Expliquee et Representee en Figures" which was published in 10 volumes in Paris in 1719 with a supplement in 1724. Size (plate mark of Diex, Caracteres): 17.25" L x 12.9" W (43.8 cm x 32.8 cm) Size (sheet for Diex, Caracteres): 15.2" L x 18.125" W (38.6 cm x 46 cm) Size (matte of Diex, Caracteres: 18.125" L x 22.125" W (46 cm x 56.2 cm)

On the verso of each is a signed COA from Jerome M. Eisenberg of Royal-Athena Galleries which includes the following description, "Mountfaucon (1655-1741), a Benedictine Monk of the order of S. Maur, was also an eminent scholar and antiquary. The majority of drawings used to illustrate L'Antiquite Expliquee were collected by Montfaucon during a trip to Italy from 1698 to 1701. His monumental work, including 1120 plates, totaling 40,000 figures, constitutes one of the largest collections of archaeological material published to date."

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA

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#181302

Both engravings show normal age wear with slight toning. "Dieux, Caracteres ?" has some stains at the peripheries that do not impact the central image and paper tape on the verso to reinforce the centerfold. The left margin of "Isis" is trimmed, and there are slight stains at the peripheries. The stains on both prints are covered by the mattes. Imagery of both prints is vivid, and both present with nice plate marks. Both are mounted in mattes that open upward; both prints are hinged at the top.