Lot 134: CHAMBERS, Sir William (1726-1796). Desseins des Edifices, Meubles, Habits, Machines, et

CHAMBERS, Sir William (1726-1796). Desseins des Edifices, Meubles, Habits, Machines, et Ustenciles des Chinois... auxquels est ajoutée une Description de leurs Temples, de leurs Maisons, de leurs Jardins. London: J. Haberkorn, for the Author, A. Millar and J. Nourse, 1757.

2° (530 x 360mm). French title and text. 21 engraved plates by P. Fourdrinier (13), C. Grignon (3), P. Sandby (1) and others. (Scattered spotting, occasional light soiling.) 18th-century blue paper boards (neatly rebacked to style with white paper and letterpress label, light wear).

FIRST EDITION, issue with the French text. An influential work by one of the most highly regarded architects of his time, in which Chambers considers the union of art and nature in Chinese design, and examines the power of imitation, surprise, and imagination upon the senses. Between 1757 and 1762 Chambers erected several neo-Roman temples and a number of Turkish- and Chinese-inspired buildings at Kew, including the now-celebrated pagoda. The plates include elevations and plans of houses and decorative structures, interiors showing the correct placement of furniture and ornament, costumes and other chinoiserie. Fowler 85; cf. Harris 113; cf. Colas 592.

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