LAAR, C. van.   MAGAZIJN VAN TUIN-SIERADEN;   Of Verzameling Van Modellen Van Aanleg En Sieraad, Voor Groote En Kleine Lust-Hoven, Voornamelijk Van Dezulke Die, Met Weinig Kosten, Te Maken Zijn. Getrokken Uit De Voornaamste Buitenlandsche Werken, Naar De Gelegenheid En Gronden Van Dit Koningrijk Gewijzigd, En Met Vele Nieuwe Platte Gronden En Sieraden Vermeerderd... Nieuwe Uitgave.       Te Zalt-Bommel: Johannes Noman en Zoon, n.d. (ca   1819).          As the fashion for picturesque gardens in the anglo-chinois style spread to the bourgeoisie at the turn of the 19th century, a variety of pattern books began to appear that offered a broad array of designs for exotic garden structures and "fabriques" suitable for copying by any reasonably prosperous garden owner wishing to be thoroughly up-to-date. Of these, van Laar's MAGAZIJN VAN TUIN-SIERADEN (Repository of Garden Ornament) was the largest and most successful. First published in 1802, with 120 plates, by the Dutch nurseryman Gijsbert van Laar, it was ultimately enlarged to the 190 plates included in the edition presented here. These depict a stunning variety of garden ornament, from thatched huts to classical temples, and chinese boats to rustic benches. Virtually every type of exotic decoration that might have been used in the gardens of the day finds some representation in this ambitious compilation. There is even a series of garden plans. All the plates are carefully hand colored and accompanied by a lengthy descriptive text which provides details on the materials and construction of the objects shown. The work had a wide audience and was undoubtedly a standard reference on the shelf of many professional gardeners and local architects. Surviving copies, though not uncommon, are usually thumb-soiled and worn.   4to (26.8 x 21.5 cm); engraved title with colored vignette + iv + viii + 100 pp. + 190 hand colored engraved plates.   Berlin Catalogue 436.          Mid-nineteenth century half morocco over marbled boards with raised bands and decoratively gilt spine; a fine clean copy. The coloring of the plates in this copy is neat and subtle, in contrast to the crude and garish colouring often found in other copies. $4,500.00

CLICK To Return To List     /    HOME