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Description
2 volumes ; in 2 cases. Plaster cameos reproducing works of classical and contemporary sculpture, produced by the firm of Paoletti, at Rome, circa 1865. The cameos are organized and mounted in trays housed within 8 faux book bindings, with a tray of cameos underneath both the front and back cover of each volume. Each cameo is numbered in pen and ink, and in turn identified in manuscript on the inside covers of each volume. All volumes bound in quarter vellum, with green boards. The title "Paoletti impronte" is gilt-stamped on a red morocco title label at the head of the spine. On a similar label at the foot of each spine, a title for the contents of the volume is stamped in gilt; the contents are as follows: Uomini illustri ; Musei Diversi. Plaster cameos such as these were popular souvenirs for British travelers on the Grand Tour of the continent. As in the present set, they were frequently mounted in faux book bindings. "Paoletti begs to inform the public that he has arranged a collection of impressions .. of many of the works in sculpture executed by distinguished artists, whose works are described by the Count Hawks le Grice in the above interesting and instructive 'Walks' ; he has also executed impronte taken from the portraits of the author, of Thorwaldsen, Gibson, Wyatt, Wolff etc., all of which have been executed in cameo by Saulini, a distinguished Roman engraver. The impressions are bound up in 3 vol. 4o, and form an appropriate companion to the Count's work .." --Advertisement on page 269 (volume 1) of Le Grice's Walks through the Studii of the sculptors at Rome (Rome : C. Puccinelli, 1841). The address of Paoletti's shop is noted in volumes 1 and 3 of the present set. Paoletti is listed at 86 Via della Croce in at least two contemporary directories: A handbook of Rome and its environs (London : John Murray, 1864); and, Rome seen in a week (Rome : L. Piale, 1865). Paoletti's studio, during the lifetime of Pietro Paoletti (1801-1847), was previously at 49 Piazza di Spagna, Rome. Bartolomeo Paoletti, an antique dealer and engraver in Rome, began the Paoletti collection of plaster casts of intaglios and cameos between 1760 and 1770. In 1834 his son Pietro took over the business. Volume [1]. Uomini illustri ; volume [2] Musei Diversi. Case edges printed in a marbled pattern. Contents of each volume listed inside cover. Written in pencel inside Uomini Illustri volume "Mr Robert R. Taft" Transfer from the RISD Museum, Decorative Arts and Design.
ISBN
Paoletti_PaolettiImpronteVolume1.pdf
Publication Date
1865
Imprint/Year
Roma : S. Paoletti ... di studio in Via della Croce, 86, [approximately 1865?]
RISD Fleet Library Catalog Record
Publisher
di studio in Via della Croce, 86
City
Rome
Keywords
cameos; casts (sculpture); faux book; decorative book box; souvenirs; portraits; Roman (ancient Italian style); Greek (ancient); reproductions; Neoclassical; grand tours
Disciplines
Book and Paper | History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology
Recommended Citation
Paoletti, Pietro; Saulini, Luigi; Canova, Antonio; Thorvaldsen, Bertel; Gibson, John; Wolf, Emil; Collections, Special; and Library, Fleet, "Paoletti Impronte Volume 1: Uomini Illustri" (1865). Art History. 22.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/specialcollections_books_arthistory/22