Politianus, Opera, [Brescia], 1499, imitation biccherna binding by Joni

Angelus Politianus

Opera [edited by Alexander Sartius]. [Brescia: Bernardus de Misintis], 10 August 1499

Chancery folio (312 x 213mm.), 212 leaves, a⁸ b–q⁶ r⁸ s–u⁶ x⁴ y⁸ z⁶ A–L⁶ M⁴, 46 lines plus headline, roman type with some passages in Greek, first initial supplied in ink with a depiction of the author, another portrait sketched in pencil on rear flyleaf, neat early annotations throughout, contemporary half calf over wooden boards, the boards later embossed with plaster and painted in tempera and gilt in imitation of a biccherna panel by Federico Icilio Joni in c.1890-1900, insides of boards painted a dark red, two clasps, in a modern drop-backed folding box, first leaf slightly soiled, some light damp-staining (slightly heavier in quire C), a few small wormholes, both boards split but holding together, binding rubbed, spine with a few small tears

A fine example of an imitation Sienese biccherna binding by Federico Icilio Joni, using the wonderful image of Aeolus by Liberale da Verona found in one of the manuscripts in the Piccolomini library in Siena Cathedral (a postcard of the original is loosely inserted). The lower cover contains an armorial of a rampant lion within a wreath. Another similar example with decoration taken from a Sienese chorale was in the collection of Giuseppe Cavalieri of Ferrara (sale, Milan, 25-30 May 1914), lot 1045 and plate 22.

Joni (1866-1946) was born in Siena and worked as a painter, gilder, and restorer, and after reading a pamphlet about the Tavolette started to fabricate examples himself. In his autobiography he describes various techniques for making them look old using soot, turmeric, and chrome yellow; metal fittings were treated with ammonia or dipped in iodine to produce the right kind of rusting.

The text is reprinted from the 1498 Aldine edition. The colophon misleadingly states "Impressum Florentiae: & accuratissime castigatum opera & impensa Leonardi de Arigis de Gesoriaco", in an attempt to circumvent Aldus's privilege. At the end of the section of Greek epigrams (the penultimate page of the volume), the annotator has written an epigram to the reader about Politian.

We are grateful for the assistance of Prof. Gianni Mazzoni in the cataloguing of this lot.

LITERATURE:

ISTC ip00887000

PROVENANCE:

Robert Hoe III, booklabel (but not found in his sale catalogues)