Natural History, Science & Medicine
[HORSE BITS] -
[French manuscript album].
[France, 2nd half of 17th c.?]. Folio (42 x 28.5 cm). [36] leaves, including 33 with pencil drawings hand-coloured in gray and black, mostly full-page, all with handwritten explanations in French, first leaf with an empty coat of arms coloured by hand in black, red, gold and silver; strong worming at beginning and end, occasional light spotting. Contemporary vellum; wormed and spotted. Provenance: Penner (booklabel on front pastedown and (?) small black crowned stamp on second leaf).
Unusual French manuscript, richly illustrated after the classical models of the late Renaissance. Unsophisticated in its original condition and binding. The drawings are mostly full page and show all sorts of ornated bits and other horsetools. They are interestingly commented by a contemporary hand, which names all types of pieces ('branche a la connetable', 'canon a bas bonet'...), and gives interesting recommendations of use, distinguishing in particular different types of horses: 'pour un cheval qui a la langue grosse et l'appuy un peu ferme', 'piece pour des chevaux que rien peux arrester'...
Price: £ 3000
US Dollar Price: $ 5950
Stock Number: 76676