A pattern book of metal furniture-mounts and fittings

Probably Birmingham, c. 1780-85.

120 engraved plates numbered 1 to 118, 126 & 127. Eight of the plates are folding of which four are triple sided. Prices are marked in ink against the majority of pieces. Pro Patria Band & Son Watermarks on many pages. Bound with period leather spine and marbled boards, worn.

This pattern book is likely the catalogue of an early 19th Century travelling brass founder's agent, illustrating the various types of metal fittings used by furniture makers and related craftsmen. The agent would have been independent, and as a result there is no foundry name but only initials, and the pages are neither consecutive nor of matching format. By preserving the anonymity of the supplier, the agent ensured his monopoly.

This example appears to be one of the three listed by Nicholas Goodison in The Victoria and Albert Museum's 'Collection of Metal-Work Pattern Books in Furniture History, XI' 1975.

Condition: Good firm impressions of the plates, as ever with trade catalogues the folding plates have worn folds, with some inevitable tears and frayed edges. Three images cut out (pp 1 and 65), front fly detached. The binding worn and scuffed, hinges and spine cracked.

Ref: 124525    

£4,800.00

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