Prisse D’Avennes, Achille Constant T. Emile | La Décoration Arabe, first edition

Prisse D’Avennes, Achille Constant T. Emile

La Décoration Arabe. Paris: J. Savoy, 1885

Folio (394 x 282 mm). Half-title, 110 plates, 87 of which chromolithographed, with several double-page plates numbered twice; closed tear to plate 7-8, light offsetting, occasional spotting primarily to margins, a few plates toned. Contemporary quarter red morocco and marbled paper boards, spine with raised bands in six compartments, second gilt-lettered, marbled endpapers; joints starting, extremities rubbed, corners bumped, head and foot of spine lightly chipped, repair to upper pastedown.

First edition—a beautifully illustrated work on Arab decorative art, serving as both a scholarly reference and a tribute to the enduring legacy of Islamic artistry.

Prisse d'Avennes, the French archaeologist, Egyptologist, architect and writer, is celebrated for his extensive study of Islamic art, architecture, and decorative design. La Décoration Arabe is one of his most significant contributions to the field of Islamic art history, presenting a detailed examination of the ornamental traditions that flourished in the Arab world. Its 110 plates offer intricate illustrations of arabesque patterns, geometric designs, and floral motifs that define the aesthetics of Islamic decoration and textile design. As a pioneer in documenting the artistic heritage of the Islamic world, Prisse d'Avennes helped bridge the gap between Eastern and Western aesthetic traditions, influencing generations of designers and architects.