Bernard de Montfaucon (French, 1655-1741). "L'Antiquite Expliquee, et Representee en Figures" Paris: Florentin Delaulne, et. Al., 1719, 1724. 8 Books (5 Volumes and 3 Supplements): Volume I (Parts I & II), Volume II (Parts I & II), Volume III (Parts I & II), Volume IV (Parts I & II), Volume V (Parts I & II), Supplement to Volume I, Supplement to Volume II, and Supplement to Volume IV. First edition volumes from 1719 with the 3 of the 5-volume 1724 supplement. A wonderful collection of all 5 first edition volumes (each as 2 parts in 1 book) and 3 supplements of L'Antiquite Expliquee, et Representee en Figures" or "Antiquity Explained, and Represented in Figures," an ambitious visual encyclopedia of antiquity, by Bernard de Montfaucon. Size of largest (all similar): 11.25" L x 3" W x 16" H (28.6 cm x 7.6 cm x 40.6 cm)

The monumental work classified the statues, monuments, vases, coins, seals, and artifacts of antiquity according to their subject matter and thus served as a fundamental source work of classical antiquity and other motifs for painters, sculptors, and architects throughout the 18th century. The work was published in an edition of 1800 copies, which apparently sold out within 2 months. The architect, Robert Adam, derived many features of his decorative repertoire from "L'Antiquite expliquee," in particular what he believed to be "Etruscan" motifs. The work occupied Montfaucon for many years, having received contributions and assistance from some of the great European collectors of the time, many of whom are mentioned or credited adjacent to the illustrations.

A complete set of 15 first edition volumes of "L'Antiquite expliquee" hammered $32,500 (equivalent to about $41,893.80 today) as lot 502 on April 5th, 2016, at Christie's New York (Live Auction 12259 / "Ex Libris Jean R. Perrette: Important Travel, Exploration & Cartography").

**For Serious Buyers Only: In the absence of a definitive collation for this work, please inquire regarding numbers and conditions of specific illustrated plates and pages.**

This item is oversized and requires special shipping.

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

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#178322

Missing Supplement to Volume III and Supplement to Volume V. Engraved portrait by J. Audron after N, Largilliere, titles printed in red and black, engraved and woodcut vignettes (lacking engraved frontispiece). Speckled calf binding, spine with raised bands, gilt in compartments, lettered in two (though many are now missing). Losses, chipping, tearing, and loosening to covers. Foxing, dampstaining, browning, and spotting to pages, as well as folding, creasing, and tearing. Possible rebinding and repairs to marginal tears. Marks from previous owners to pages and interiors of covers in areas. Green cloth bookmark contained in some. Missing some pages and illustrated plates throughout; volumes and supplements have not been collated. Please inquire for more detail regarding number and condition of specific plates and pages.