Pair of Antique Heraldic Prints, Stained Glass and Cardinal's Arms, 1882

A set of two original antique chromolithographs of stained glass and the arms of Cardinal d'Amboise from Paul Lacroix's Louis XII et Anne de Bretagne, published in Paris by Georges Hurtrel in 1882, sold together as one set of two sheets. The first sheet reproduces six leaded panels of heraldic stained glass in red, gold and blue: four repeat a pilgrim's scrip and staff ringed by a rosary under the motto DIEV GARD DE MAL LE PELERIN, and two carry great initials, one with a serpent, all inside borders of gold lozenges on red. The window was at the Chateau du Verger in Anjou, built between 1492 and 1506 for Pierre de Rohan, Marshal of Gie. The second sheet reproduces a tapestry design for Georges d'Amboise, cardinal and chief minister of Louis XII: two kneeling angels hold his striped shield under a red cardinal's hat, the motto INITIVM SAPIENCIE TIMOR DOMINI SERVAS MANDATA TVA runs on a scroll, and a shepherd and shepherdess fill bowls at a fountain among their sheep. The border is a checkerboard of scallop shells and initials in red, yellow and blue.

The plates come from Louis XII et Anne de Bretagne, Chronique de l'Histoire de France, by Paul Lacroix, the prolific historian who wrote as the Bibliophile Jacob, published in Paris in 1882 by Georges Hurtrel, artiste-editeur, of 35 rue d'Assas. The title page announces fourteen chromolithographs, fifteen large plates outside the text and about two hundred drawings in the text, all taken from originals of the period, and the work was produced under Hurtrel's own direction. The plates were printed in many colors with gold by the Imprimerie Lemercier et Cie of Paris, whose imprint appears at the lower right of each, and lithographed by Cattelat. The color is printed throughout, not applied by hand.

Both are flat heraldic designs after the Gaignieres drawings, lithographed by Cattelat in strong red, gold and blue, and they make a striking decorative pair. The reign of Louis XII, 1498 to 1515, sits at the turn from the Gothic to the French Renaissance, and the plates of this book catch that moment in costume, ornament and ceremony. Framed alike in gilt or dark wood, the sheets make a rich group for a library, a dining room or a stair.

Light uneven toning, browner towards the edges. Marked handling soiling along the edges of both sheets. Foxing over much of the margin of both sheets. Slight wear at the corners of both sheets. Brown marks on both sheets.

These are original antique prints, not modern reproductions. They are two original sheets sold together as one lot, and the set is never split. This item is sold unframed.