Modelli di Francia per Argentieri

Oblong folio. 390 x 220 mm. (15 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches). Vellum spine over decorative blue paper wrappers, paper label with title in Italian on upper board and ink title in Italian on spine. Paper stock toned with age, a few leaves with staining in the margin, otherwise in good condition.

Silversmith model book, containing 80 full-page engravings of candles sticks and holders, candelabra, pitchers, plates, salt and pepper shakers, serving utensils, silverware, and other household pieces. Each image is beautifully and careful engraved, with rich detail and ornamentation. Each includes a printed product number as well as one in ink with a different item number and a price.

Although there is no title-page or signatures of engravers, this large sales catalogue appears to be English as some of the engravings have English words of explanation engraved in the text. The binding is definitely Italian, and the paper label is in an Italian hand. The watermark is a "fleur de lis" pattern suggesting an international company manufacturing the silver. There were only a few English companies with the capacity to export at this time, including silver works in Sheffield and Birmingham both of which by 1770's had established networks of dealers selling their wares across the continent. This catalogue, with specific Italian connections is very unusual and suggests the scope of the business had reached export capacity by the third quarter of the century. The most important Italian silver makers at this time were Giardini of Rome and Venuti of Naples.