Catalogo Degli Antichi Monumenti Dissotterrati Dalla Discoperta Citta Di Ercolano Per Ordine Della Maesta Di Carlo Re Delle Due Sicilie, E Di Gierusalemme, Infante Di Spagna, Duca Di Parma, E Di Piacenza, Gran Principe Ereditario Di Toscana, Composto E Steso Da Monsignor Ottavio Antonio Bayardi Protonotario Apostolico, Referendario Dell'Una E Dell'Altra Signatura, E Consultore De' Sacri Riti.
Half-title: Catalogo Degli Antichi Monumenti Di Ercolano Tomo I
Caption title & running title: Catalogo de' Monumenti Di Ercolano
Imprint
In Napoli: MDCCLV, Nella Regia Stamperia Di S. M.
Physical Description
[iv], xxii, 447, [1]p.; 480 mm. (Quarto).
General Note
Some copies lack the half-title; some, the title-page vignette.
Contents
[Half-t., t.p.] - Prefazione - [Text].
Responsibility Note
The four vignettes and one decorated initial are signed as drawn by Camillo Paderni and engraved by P. Ant. Piaggio.
The preface is addressed to King Carlos.
References
National Gallery (Washington), Mark J. Millard Architectural, IV (2000), no. 16; Royal Institute of British Architects, British Architectural Library ... Early printed books, 1 (1994), no. 224.
On the impact of the publication of the excavations see the note on Le Pitture Antiche D'Ercolano E Contorni (1757-79).
Summary Note
The half-title reads, 'Catalogo Degli Antichi Monumenti Di Ercolano Tomo I.' This and the conclusion, 'Fine Del Primo Tomo', present the book as a first volume, but no further volumes were published.
This was a long-awaited catalogue. Herculaneum had been rediscovered in 1709, but in 1738 the king of Naples restricted access to the finds and site. As this stimulated production of unofficial accounts (e.g. Venuti's Descrizione, Rome 1748 and London 1750), the king announced the preparation of a catalogue. In 1752 Baiardi's Prodromo duly appeared, a five-volume disquisition on the mythology of the site, which a courtier declared to have spread a shroud denser than any lava, and in 1754 this unillustrated Catalogue (the present issue is a reprint). (However, the king made handsome amends, by establishing the Accademia Ercolanese di Archeologia, which between 1757 and 1792 printed at the Royal Press eight copiously illustrated folios on the antiquities from Herculaneum and Pompeii; which were distributed as gifts to European courts, institutions and connoisseurs.)
The text is presented in seven sections: Pitture (738 items) - Statue, E Busti Di Metallo, E Di Marmo (350) - Vasi, Patere (915) - Tripodi (24) - Lucerne (163) - Candelabri (40) - Cose varie (732).
The only illustrations are four vignettes (title-page vignette, headpiece and tailpiece to the preface, and tailpiece to the catalogue) and one decorated initial at the beginning of the preface.
Provenance
Purchased by 1780. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Binding Note
Contemporary mottled calf, with royal arms of Britain and 'R.A.' gilt-stamped on upper cover; rebacked, with red and black morocco spine-labels, lettered 'Pitture d'Ercolano Tomo I'.
Subject
Antiquities, Roman - Mural painting and decoration, Roman - Paintings, Roman - Paintings, European - Sculpture, Roman - Bronzes, Roman - Statues - Interior decoration - Decorative arts, Roman - Archaeological objects - Italy - Campania - Naples - Herculaneum (Extinct city) - History - 1st century
Archaeology - Excavations - Archaeological sites - Italy - Campania - Naples - Herculaneum (Extinct city) - History - 18th century
Collections - Italy - Campania - Naples - 18th century
Reports - Catalogues - Italy - 18th century
Armorial bindings - Great Britain - 18th century