BERNARD PICART — CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS OF THE JEWS & ROMAN CATHOLICSAMSTERDAM, 1739COMPLETE WITH ALL 29 ENGRAVED PLATESLARGE FOLIO IN CONTEMPORARY FULL CALF
PICART, Bernard.
Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde, représentées par des Figures dessinées de la main de Bernard Picart: Avec une Explication Historique, & quelques Dissertations curieuses. Tome Premier, Qui contient les Cérémonies des Juifs & des Chrétiens Catholiques.
Amsterdam: J. F. Bernard, 1739.
Large folio.
Exterior binding dimensions: approximately 15 1/2 x 10 1/4 x 1 1/4 inches.
Page dimensions: approximately 15 1/8 x 9 1/8 inches.
Complete with all 29 engraved plates called for in the printed Table des Figures, including full-page, double-page, and large folding plates.
Contemporary full mottled calf, covers ruled in gilt, spine with six raised bands and seven compartments richly decorated in gilt with floral and foliate tools, red morocco lettering and volume labels, marbled endpapers, and red-stained edges.
A LANDMARK ILLUSTRATED STUDY OF JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN CEREMONY
Volume I of Bernard Picart\'s celebrated Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde, one of the most ambitious and influential illustrated surveys of world religion produced during the eighteenth century.
This first volume is especially desirable for its extensive documentation of Jewish religious life, including the ceremonies and customs of the Portuguese Sephardic and German Ashkenazi Jewish communities of Amsterdam.
The Jewish section incorporates a French translation of the work of Leone, or Leon, Modena (1571–1648), Rabbi of Venice, under the title:
Dissertation historique touchant les cérémonies et les coutumes qui s\'observent aujourd\'hui parmi les Juifs, traduite de l\'Italien de Leon de Modene, Rabbin de Venise.
Picart\'s engravings are remarkable not merely as decorative illustrations, but as an extraordinarily detailed visual record of eighteenth-century Jewish religious and communal life.
JEWISH SUBJECTS ILLUSTRATED
The engraved series includes representations of:
- the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam, including its dedication
- synagogue interiors and worship
- tallit and tefillin
- Torah scrolls, Torah ornaments, and ceremonial textiles
- the priestly blessing
- public reading and display of the Torah
- Rosh Hashanah
- Yom Kippur
- examination for leaven before Passover
- the Passover Seder
- the palm procession during Sukkot
- the meal during the Feast of Tabernacles
- Simchat Torah
- Jewish ritual objects
- instruments and implements associated with circumcision
- the circumcision ceremony of Portuguese Jews
- the redemption of the firstborn
- Portuguese Sephardic wedding ceremonies
- German Ashkenazi wedding ceremonies
- mourning customs
- funeral rites and burial
Several plates contain multiple separate scenes, so the 29 physical engraved plates encompass considerably more than 29 individual subjects.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CEREMONIES
The second major portion of the volume is devoted to Roman Catholic religion and ceremonial and is likewise extensively illustrated.
Subjects include:
- the papal conclave and election
- entrance of the Cardinals into conclave
- Mass of the Holy Spirit
- meetings and scrutiny of the Cardinals
- construction of the Cardinals\' conclave cells
- election and adoration of the Pope
- papal coronation
- papal ceremonial
- the Papal Chapel
- pontifical processions
- celebration of the Mass
- solemn or High Mass
- priestly vestments and liturgical actions
- consecration of churches
- laying and blessing of foundation stones
- consecration of altars
- blessing and \"baptism\" of bells
- blessing of crosses
- consecration of religious images
- ecclesiastical vestments and sacred objects
MONUMENTAL FOLDING PAPAL PROCESSION
Of particular note is the enormous folding panorama depicting the papal procession associated with St. John Lateran, crowded with hundreds of figures, horses, carriages, ecclesiastical dignitaries, military escorts, banners, and ceremonial participants.
The plate is constructed from two double-sheet engraved sections pasted together, creating an exceptionally large panoramic image.
The original pasted join has become unglued for approximately two inches along the lower portion, with no loss of printed material. This is separation along the original pasted construction rather than a tear through the engraved sheet.
The plate remains complete and presents impressively when unfolded.
ILLUSTRATION
Complete with all 29 engraved plates, corresponding to the printed Table des Figures at the conclusion of the volume.
The engravings include:
- full-page plates
- plates containing multiple subjects
- double-page compositions
- large folding plates
- the monumental multi-sheet papal procession
The volume also contains numerous engraved headpieces, tailpieces, decorated initials, and ornamental devices.
The impressions in this copy are generally dark, crisp, and finely detailed.
The volume has been physically collated and is complete.
BINDING
An attractive contemporary full mottled calf binding.
Boards framed with multiple gilt rules.
Spine with six raised bands forming seven compartments, the compartments richly decorated with repeated floral and foliate gilt tooling.
Two red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt:
CEREM. RELIG.
TOM I
Marbled endpapers.
Red-stained edges.
The binding gives the volume considerable shelf presence and is notably more decorative than many surviving copies.
CONDITION
Very good antiquarian condition. Complete.
Binding remains sound and attractive, with expected rubbing, scuffing, and surface wear commensurate with age. Some wear and minor loss at the head of the spine and rubbing to the raised bands and extremities. Gilt spine decoration remains bright and visually impressive.
Marbled endpapers survive well.
Text block is notably clean and fresh for a large folio published in 1739, with occasional light spotting, foxing, minor toning, and scattered age-related marks.
Engravings are generally crisp, dark, and strongly impressed, with generous margins.
All 29 engraved plates are present. The volume has been physically collated and is complete.
The monumental folding papal procession plate is constructed from two double-sheet engraved sections pasted together. The original pasted join has opened for approximately two inches at the lower portion, without loss.
Small pencil bibliographical note to a preliminary blank.
Please examine the photographs carefully for condition and contact me with any questions.
FORMAT & SIZE
Format: Large folio
Exterior binding dimensions: approximately 15 1/2 x 10 1/4 x 1 1/4 inches
Page dimensions: approximately 15 1/8 x 9 1/8 inches
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL AND COLLECTING INTEREST
Picart\'s Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses became one of the defining illustrated works on comparative religion in eighteenth-century Europe.
Volume I is particularly collectible because of its detailed representations of Jewish life and ritual in Amsterdam, including both Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities, alongside an extensive visual record of Roman Catholic rites and papal ceremonial.
The combination of:
Judaica + Bernard Picart + Amsterdam + large folio format + complete 29-plate collation + contemporary decorative leather binding
makes this a particularly attractive individual volume from the series.
Suitable for collections focused on Judaica, Jewish history, Amsterdam history, comparative religion, Catholic ceremonial, engraving, illustrated books, ethnography, or eighteenth-century folios.
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