1724 Antique Montfaucon Print God Isis Osiris of Egypt

Title:  Isis et Osiris

Date: 1724

Color: Black and White

Medium: Copperplate Engraving

Dimensions: image (30 x 38.6 cm or 11 3/4 x 15 1/4 inch),  paper (40.4 x 48.2 cm or 15 7/8 x 19 inch)

Credits: Bernard de Montfaucon (author); Florentin Delaulne, Paris (publisher), plate Apres la 37 of Volume II [Le Culte des Grecs, des Romanins, des Egyptiens, et des Gaulois] of Supplement au Livre de  L Antiquite expliquee, et representee en figures (1st edition, Paris 1724)

Condition:

        The print is in excellent condition [i.e., clear & clean image, strong paper and plate mark, original wide margins, no bend, no tear, and slight but even age toning]. It was printed on high quality hand laid paper with a blank verso. Issued with a centerfold, the print is nearly flawless with no apology.

Description:

        Bernard de Montfaucon (1655 1741) was regarded by many as one of the founders of Modern Archeology, and one of the earliest to recognize the tremendous value of studying the ancient monuments [as the first hand record of history]. Among several of his important published works, the best known is, perhaps, L Antiquite expliquee, et representee en figures [Antiquity explained, and represented in sculptures (par D Humphrets translation)]. It is a five-volumes ten parts series [followed by five volumes of supplements] on ancient Greco-Roman [and many others, e.g., Egyptian, Germania, Gaul etc] monuments and artifacts that might be of use in the study of many facets of the period life (e.g. religion, domestic customs, material life, military institutions, and funeral rites) and had since become antique in its own right.

       The book was first published in French [with companion Latin text] in 1719. It included many beautifully engraved plates that meticulously reproduced and represented the ancient life [of chiefly Greek and Rome] in graphic form. An English edition of this work (condensed into five volumes) was published in 1721 (translated by David Humphrets) with many completely re-engraved plates and a second French edition of the original work was published in 1722 with corrections and revisions, which was then followed by a five volumes Supplements (Supplement au livre de L Antiquite expliquee, et representee en figures) first published in 1724. The plates from the first French edition of 1719 and its 1724 supplements are more desirable and displayable for similar figures among all the editions. Indeed, the paper and the engraving [less wearing of the plate] of the first edition are generally above the subsequent issues in quality.

      
         This print (of plate right after 37 at page 142) was from the first French edition of Book 6 on the Gods of Egypt [Livre VI, Les Dieux Egyptiens or Liber VI Dii Egyptii] from Volume 2 of the Supplement published in 1724. It depicted the famous wall painting of Isis and Osiris [two of very important Egyptian deities - Isis: mother of god, mother of Horus, queen of haven etc; Osiris: ruler of the underworld, father of Horus etc]. A very nice collector's item indeed - please note the very low starting price with no reserve. Thanks for looking and happy bidding!

        Note that this item (and our other antique maps and prints) is absolutely and unconditionally guaranteed [with full 100% money back including shipping handling and your return postage and with no-question-asked return policy] to be original [i.e., not a modern copy or reproduction] and as described. Please take a look at our other related maps/prints items (free shipping and handling for additional item when combine shipping is possible) on eBay store or auction format.