EUDEL (Paul). - Lot 98

EUDEL (Paul). L'Orfèvrerie algérienne et tunisienne. Alger : Typographie & lithographie Adolphe Jourdan, 1902. - In-8, 260 x 190 : XX, 544 pp. 5 plates, 2 maps, illustrated cover. Garnet chagrin, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, ornate ribbed spine, inner gilt roulette, gilt edges, cover preserved (A. Jourdan). Dorbon, 1552. First edition of this remarkable work on the history and techniques of goldsmithing in North Africa, written by shipowner, merchant, collector and art chronicler Paul Eudel (1837-1911), considered one of the earliest observers of goldsmithing in these regions. Beginning with a highly interesting bibliography, the study is divided into 28 chapters: L'Orfèvrerie à travers les âges. - Historical overview of Algerian silverware. - Mores. - The Souq. - Amines. - Control. - Weighers. - Dead and living goldsmiths of Algiers. - Pearls and precious stones. - Materials used. - Tools and processes. - Small trades. - Ornamentation. - Talismans and amulets. - Fakes. - Public sales. - The Algiers Mont-de-Piété. - Inventories. - Great families and great leaders. - Manufacturing centers. - Kabylia. - Province of Oran. - Province of Constantine. - Tunisia. - Morocco. - Tripolitania. - French Africa. The last chapter forms the conclusion. The edition is illustrated with numerous black reproductions in the text and on full pages, as well as several maps, including 2 hors texte, and 5 beautiful color plates of jewelry by Fritz Muller and Marius Ferrand. The cover is also illustrated with a beautiful composition by H. Eudel, depicting a seated woman wearing gilded jewelry and holding a lit cigarette. Exemplaire de Marie-Louise Loubet (1843-1925), wife of President of the Republic Émile Loubet, enriched with this autograph letter signed by the publisher on the false title: A Madame Emile Loubet, // Très respectueux hommage de l'éditeur // A. Jourdan // 8.12.1902 Very fine copy in full publisher's binding, very well preserved despite some rare foxing. Provenance: Marie-Louise Loubet, with publisher's consignment.