Desseins des édifices, meubles, habits, machines et ustenciles des Chinois

Gravés sur les originaux dessinés à la Chine. Auxquels est ajoutée une description de leurs temples, de leurs maisons, de leurs jardins, etc. Londres, l’auteur, A. Millar & J. Nourse, 1757. First edition, published simultaneously in French and English editions the same year. Folio (535 mm tall), papered boards with title label to spine, pp. [viii]; 19; [blank]; 21 full page copperplate engravings, complete, scattered foxing, offsetting, a very good copy.

The first edition of Chambers’ first published book, highly influential for its depiction of Chinese architecture, buildings and gardens. Chambers’ book of Chinese designs is one of the major sources for the chinoiserie aesthetic movement of the eighteenth century,

Cordier, Sinica, 1570; Lowendahl 487