4to. 47 pp., [1], half-title, 190 b/w plates, 10 chromolithograph plates, cloth backed boards with laces, faded & rubbed, copy belonged to Sir Matthew M. Ochterlony, Bart whose name is stamped on half-title page, copy clean and in very good condition, Firmin-Didot, Paris, first edition, 1879.

Synopsis

This important art historical work with detailed geometrical plates on Arabic Art is by Jules Bourgoin (1838-1908), who was a theorist in ornament, architect, designer and lecturer in the history and theory of ornaments at l’ École de Beaux Arts in Paris. The work starts with a preface, and a description of the plates and is followed by the main part: the detailed plates of intricate geometrical patterns common in Arabic art.
During several trips to Egypt, Bourgoin was fascinated by the Islamic ornaments and accordingly he devoted his life studying that subject. From 1863 to 1866 he supervised the building of the French consulate in Alexandria at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his travels he made more than 2,000 drawings, some of which were sold to make him a living. He built his home in Saint-Julien-du-Sault (Yonne), where he retired and wrote the Handbook of Arab art.
Bibliographic references: Creswell 964; OCLC 558156816.