- 82
Le Gobien, Charles
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
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Description
- Histoire de l'edit de l'empereur de la Chine, en faveur de la religion chrestienne, avec un eclaircissement sur les honneurs que les Chinois rendent à Confucius et des morts. Paris: Jean Anisson, 1698
- Paper
FIRST EDITION, 12mo (167 x 87mm.), woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, CONTEMPORARY PARISIAN RED MOROCCO GILT, WITH ARMS OF LA MARQUISE DE MAINTENON in gilt [cf. Olivier 1837 fer 8bis], spine gilt in compartments with the stamp of a lion rampant in each compartment, edges marbled and gilt
Provenance
Françoise d'Aubigné, marquise de Maintenon (1635-1719, second wife of Louis XIV), arms on binding; "Bibliothèque de la Maison Roiale de St Louis à S. Cir", bookplate (the Maison de Saint-Cyr was founded by Louis XIV, at his wife's request, as a school for impoverished girls from noble families; it was closed in 1793).
Literature
Carayon 1043; Cordier, Sinica 836; Löwendahl 227; Lust 822; Western Travellers in China 32
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A SPLENDID COPY, BOUND FOR MADAME DE MAINTENON, SECOND WIFE OF LOUIS XIV.
The French Jesuit Le Gobien (1653-1708) worked at the Chinese mission in Paris. In 1692 the Chinese emperor decreed the freedom of worship to Christians, and the text of his edict is quoted here in full, together with the negotiations by Jesuits and others that led to the decree. The vast number of Chinese converts had led to disagreement over their adherence to Confucius and their reverence of the deceased, which were tolerated by the local Jesuits (an approach promoted by Le Gobien in this work) but condemned by the Sorbonne and the Vatican as inimical to Christianity.
The French Jesuit Le Gobien (1653-1708) worked at the Chinese mission in Paris. In 1692 the Chinese emperor decreed the freedom of worship to Christians, and the text of his edict is quoted here in full, together with the negotiations by Jesuits and others that led to the decree. The vast number of Chinese converts had led to disagreement over their adherence to Confucius and their reverence of the deceased, which were tolerated by the local Jesuits (an approach promoted by Le Gobien in this work) but condemned by the Sorbonne and the Vatican as inimical to Christianity.
The armorial used on this binding is very close to Olivier 1837 fer 8bis, but not identical. For an identical armorial, see a binding in the British Library on a book dated Paris, 1701 (shelfmark c47b13).