Recueil d'ornemens à l'usage des jeunes artistes qui se destinent à la décoration des bâtimens.... Paris: the Author, 1777.
Broadsheet folio (545 x 390 mm). Engraved throughout: title with arms of the dedicatee (Louis comte de Provence), frontispiece by Le Roy after Taraval, dedication with allegorical headpiece by Martini after Julien, and approximately 100 plates on 61 leaves including final 2 plates of a frieze which are joined together (only, Berlin Katalog calling for 74 leaves), by Cauvet, Hemery, S.C. Miger, Liottier l'aîne, Liottier le jeune, Cte Liottier, Martini, Mme Dabry, Petit, J. le Roy and Vieil after Cauvet, an unusually large number in sanguine, a few in bistre. Privilege leaf present. 19th century red morocco, covers with triple rule, spine gilt in 8 compartments, turn-ins gilt, a.e.g. A very few scattered spots on about 5 plates, binding extremities lightly rubbed; about fine.

FIRST EDITION. Cauvet was a prominent sculptor, architect, and designer for the French court. The dedicatee of this work, Cauvet's principal patron, was Louis XVI's brother, the future Louis XVIII. Cauvet is viewed as an important instigator of the transition from the rococo to the Empire style and the present work was highly influential particularly among wood carvers and furniture makers. Cohen-de Ricci 208; Berlin Katalog 483.