COLOURED PATTERN BOOK

[Carrera, C., e figlio] [Cover label:] Bordini per ricamo in lume. [Italy] [1780-1820].

Coloured hand-drawn pattern-book of embroidered borders from the firm of one C. Carrera and Son. The book gives 147 different patterns, all but one numbered. It is labelled as 'Campionario' (pattern book) No. 95, and so it was, it appears, then or later part of a sizeable company pattern-book archive. In style, the patterns show the influence of neoclassicism.

Details

MS, 4to., (19 x 23.6 cms. in binding), 70 unnumbered fols., rectos to 64 of these with patterns set within borders, coloured overall in red, yellow, orange and brown, one leaf with, to recto, a pattern sketch in pencil, five leaves at end with borders drawn in pencil but empty. One further pattern sketch in pencil to verso of first leaf (patterns on recto), occasional pencil emendations to patterns. Some dustiness and traces of mildew, bound in contemporary marbled boards, corners with traces of original brown calf, spine of a purple leather-like material (poss. replacing original spine in late 19th-cent.), contemporary label to front cover with engraved borders and lettering in MS to centre (wear, two splits to text block). Inscription to final pastedown of C. Carrera e Figlio, later note in pencil to f.f.e.p. recto, 'Campionario No. 95'. Folded in, a leaf with further pattern sketches.