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an old drawing of a room with a bunch of people in itan old drawing of two men working on a machine and another drawing of a man standing at a tablean old book with a red cover sitting on top of a white surface
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667 - Decorative Arts – Paper
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Estimate €3,600 - €4,500
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Description
Decorative Arts – Paper Fos, Joaquín Manuel Methodical Instruction on Muerés. With 12 folded copperplate engravings. Madrid, printed by the widow of D. Joachín Ibarra, 1790. Red calfskin binding with rich gilding and a red label (slightly rubbed, scuffed and with minimal wear). Not listed in Siegelaub. Bibliographica Textilia Historiae, Palau 93949. – This folio, published posthumously, ranks among the most significant technical treatises of the 18th century on the Spanish silk industry and was printed in the renowned printing house of Joaquín Ibarra’s widow – one of the most renowned printing dynasties in Enlightenment-era Spain, known for their typographical precision and elaborate decoration. The special editions bear the motto ‘Honos alit artes’ (‘Honour nourishes the arts’) as an epigraph. The engraved title page and the twelve folding plates, which illustrate the stages and tools involved in moiré production, are by Juan Barcelón y Abellán, an engraver working in Madrid who also contributed to other Ibarra prints. An allegorical headpiece by Ximeno was engraved by Miguel Gamborino, complemented by a large engraved initial. Joaquín Manuel Fos (Valencia, 1730–1789) was a Valencian silk manufacturer who played a key role in modernising this industry in the 18th century. He spent time in France and England for study purposes, where he familiarised himself with the textile factories there, before returning to Valencia to put his expertise to use. Fernando VI appointed him ‘Prensador’ (master presser), and he was also an active member of the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País. His treatise *Instrucción metódica sobre los muerés* deals in detail with the production of moiré or water-patterned silk fabric (*mueres*), a material in high demand in the 18th century for both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear clothing. Among other things, it describes the pressing machines required to produce the characteristic water-pattern, as well as the specific properties that different types of fabric must possess for this treatment. The work was published a year after the author’s death and is based on a manuscript he had originally written for his sons. The work combines two aspects of particular appeal to bibliophiles: its rarity in the history of technology as an early modern technical treatise on the textile industry, and the printing quality of the Ibarra press, whose products are regarded as masterpieces of 18th-century Spanish book art. With 12 folded engraved plates. This posthumously published folio is one of the most important 18th-century technical treatises on the Spanish silk industry. It was printed at the famous press of the widow of Joaquín Ibarra, one of the most renowned printing dynasties of Enlightenment Spain, known for its typographical precision and lavish production. The deluxe copies bear the motto ‘Honos alit artes’ (‘Honour nourishes the arts’) as an epigraph. The engraved title page and the twelve folding plates illustrating the stages and tools of moiré production are the work of Juan Barcelón y Abellán, an engraver working in Madrid who also contributed to other Ibarra publications. An allegorical headpiece vignette based on a design by Ximeno was engraved by Miguel Gamborino, and there is also a large engraved initial. Joaquín Manuel Fos (Valencia, 1730–1789) was a Valencian silk manufacturer who played a key role in modernising the industry in the 18th century. He travelled to France and England to study their textile factories, then returned to Valencia and put his expertise to use there. Ferdinand VI appointed him ‘Prensador’ (master of the presses), and he was also an active member of the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País. His treatise, *Instrucción metódica sobre los muerés*, provides a detailed account of how moiré, or watered silk (‘mueres’), is produced. This fabric was in great demand for both men’s and women’s clothing in the 18th century. The book describes, amongst other things, the presses required to create the characteristic watered pattern and the qualities different fabrics must possess to be treated in this way. It was published one year after the author’s death and is based on a manuscript he originally wrote for his sons. The work combines two features that make it particularly appealing to bibliophiles. It is a rare early technical book on the textile industry, and it demonstrates the printing quality of the House of Ibarra, whose books are regarded as masterpieces of 18th-century Spanish book art. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
See original version (German)
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
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