Art Books

 Art Books - Various Timeframes/Materials

These Art books cover a variety of topics & art using a variety of materials. (Metals, Wood, Cloth, Tiling, Stone, ...)  Some of these books cover how a piece was made, examples of period artists notebooks, etc. 

Several of these books are in German or French language. I've found that taking a picture of the page with my tablet or phone while in Google Translate helped me to read the bits I needed help with.

Check out this sheet for the list with prices. I'm open to "offers" for bundles of books. If you'd like a picture of a specific book in the library, please just let me know.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a-vbLTtPSgw1eNIvRmwpHUylavL7vtyxuJkDtjjCsRI/edit?usp=sharing

European Textiles

King, Monique, and Donald King. European Textiles in the Keir Collection: 400 BC - 1800 AD. Jolly & Barber Ltd, 1984. ISBN 9780571133710.

This book is a comprehensive catalog and scholarly exploration of the vast textile holdings of the Keir Collection. Spanning over two millennia, the book documents the rich history of European textiles, featuring garments, fabrics, and tapestries that range from ancient times to the early modern period. The Keir Collection, known for its exceptional range of historical artifacts, offers a unique lens through which the development of textile arts can be studied, from ancient woven fabrics to opulent Renaissance tapestries.

Accompanied by high-quality photographs and detailed descriptions, this volume not only celebrates the artistic beauty of these textiles but also provides in-depth analysis of the materials, techniques, and cultural significance of each piece. With its scholarly commentary and historical insights, the book is an invaluable resource for textile historians, art collectors, and anyone interested in the evolution of European textile art. This work highlights the importance of textiles in reflecting the social, cultural, and economic fabric of Europe from antiquity through the early modern period.

This is a hardback dark-green cloth book with gilt title on spine in mylar-wrapped dust jacket. But for an address label on the first sheet, it's in fine condition. There are no marks or highlighting inside.  It is approximately 11¼"tall x 9"wide x 1⅜"thick. ISBN 9780571133710 / 0571133711.

I am asking $40.

Merovingian Treasures

Fleury, Michel, and Albert France-Lanord. Les Trésors Mérovingiens de la Basilique de Saint-Denis. Gérard Klopp, 1998.

     

Edition #535

Les Trésors Mérovingiens de la Basilique de Saint-Denis by Michel Fleury and Albert France-Lanord is an in-depth exploration of the archaeological discoveries from the Merovingian necropolis beneath the Basilica of Saint-Denis, a site regarded as one of the most significant in European archaeology. Published in 1998, this comprehensive work spans 572 pages and contains over 400 illustrations, offering a detailed account of the tombs of high-ranking individuals, particularly women of the Merovingian royal court. Among the most notable finds is the tomb of Queen Arégonde, wife of Clotaire I, which remarkably preserved both precious jewelry and embroidered silk garments. The preservation of these artefacts is attributed to the protection offered by the tombs from rainwater, providing a unique glimpse into Merovingian burial customs and material culture.

The volume is richly illustrated and meticulously documents the excavation process, along with the artefacts' historical and cultural significance. It includes everything from sarcophagi to silk textiles and jewelry, offering an essential reference for scholars of Merovingian art, history, and archaeology. This publication stands as a foundational text in the study of early medieval European archaeology, providing detailed analysis that contextualizes the discoveries and highlights the exquisite craftsmanship of the period.

This large-format book (9.65” x 13.39”), weighing 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs), is in excellent->mint condition and comes with a slipcover box. Ideal for Early Period reenactors and scholars, the book is filled with remarkable drawings, photos, and recreations from the 90 archaeological sites beneath St. Denis. Written in French, it covers burial details, including artifact positioning, weaving techniques, and X-ray analyses of jewelry and adornments. A highlight of the book is the inclusion of Queen Arégonde’s artifacts, along with thorough analyses of fibers, leathers, metals, and dyes from the burial sites. This volume is an indispensable resource for understanding the early Northern European peoples and their cultural heritage.

Asking $270. (I will split shipping costs 50% given the weight of this book.)