Paul Gavani – Les Joyaux – Fantaisie – 1850

Gavarni – Les Joyaux. Fantaisie – Paris, G. de Gonet – c. 1850Magnificent 19th-century French luxury edition, featuring 16 hand-coloured plates, exceptionally delicate paper-lace borders and a richly gilt, polychrome publisher's binding.A beautifully illustrated edition of Les Joyaux, featuring designs by the celebrated French artist Paul Gavarni (1804–1866), with text by Méry and Minéralogie des dames by the Comte Félix.Published in Paris by G. de Gonet, circa 1850.Illustrations and exceptional decorative featuresThe volume contains 16 exquisite hand-coloured plates, all present and corresponding exactly to the original list of illustrations.Of particular interest are the elaborate, lace-like cut-paper borders (papier dentelle) surrounding the illustrations.These exceptionally fragile decorative elements have survived entirely intact, a particularly desirable feature of this copy.The illustrations depict elegantly dressed women, precious stones and jewellery, reflecting the refined taste and romantic fashion of mid-19th-century France.Remarkable original publisher's bindingThe book retains its magnificent original black publisher's binding, elaborately decorated with gilt tooling and polychrome details in blue, red and green.The front cover features an intricate composition of jewellery, precious objects, ornamental motifs and luxurious fabrics.The publisher's name, G. de Gonet, is incorporated into the decorative design.All edges gilt.An outstanding example of the decorative sophistication of French luxury book production during... lees verder bij Catawiki