Jeypore Enamels [WITH 28 CHROMOLITHGRAPHIC PLATES]

London: W. Griggs, Elm House, 1886. First edition. Hardcover. Very good condition. Folio. 16pp., 28 plates in chromolithography. Original black half-cloth over dark brown paper-covered, color-illustrated boards with elaborate decorative gilt framing, black lettering with decorative, heightened initials and gilt lettering on cover, gilt lettering on spine. Back cover with same decorative framing as cover and gilt decorative vignette. Gilt edges. Brown endpapers. The twenty-eight chromolithographic plates containing one hundred and twenty designs by W. Griggs. Decorative historiated initial in red.

Extraordinary designs for enamel work on metal from Jaipur, considered to be the best work in this field. "The enamels of Europe and Persia are poor and lustreless in comparison with those of Jeypore, and in none of them is the fiery red, for which the latter is so remarkable, at all approached." (Hendley).

The introduction by Hendley provides an interesting comparative overview of enamel work of the time with details on the historic, economic and artistic implications of this work. Contains three pages with detailed descriptions of the work, an appendix stating name of the articles, their value in Rupees, the names of the enamelers, the number of times the works were fired, the time of their completion in month, the names of the purchasers, and additional remarks, e.g. "Set with diamonds."

The chromolithographs include one full page depicting a group of Jaipur enamelers at work and one hundred and twenty designs for daggers, bracelets, swords, plates, saucers, perfume stands, vases, etc. Plates twelve to twenty-six with numerous extraordinary designs for jewelry and plates twenty-seven and eight depict instruments used by enamelers for their work.

Binding with light wear along edges, small chips and lightly rubbed. Small dealer sticker on inside front cover. Some foxing on front endpaper and title page. Plates nine through fifteen with crease at lower foredge corner, plate fifteen here with two inch closed tear. Light offsetting to verso of plates from facing imagery.