[Rarebooks] fs: Holy Ancient Roman Funerals, Batman! (1672)

[Joslin Hall Rare Books, ABAA]

_____________________________________________

Kirchmann, Johannes. "Lubecensis de Funeribus Romanorum Libri Quator cum
Appendice, Nitidissimis Figuris illustrati. Accessit et Funus Parasiticum
Nicolai Rigaltii" (Bound with) "In Funere V.C.L. Pauli G.F.P.N. Merulae,
Historiarum Professoris In Academia Batavorum...Oratio..."

Both Leyden; Hackius: 1672.

The first volume is a wide-ranging work on the funeral rites and practices
of the ancient Romans, including preservation of the corpse, the mourners
and funeral processions, cremations, burials and memorials.

Written in four parts, each part is illustrated with an engraved, folding
plate by Romeyn de Hooghe: the first plate illustrates the corpse of a
noble lady being borne on an elaborately draped litter by a group of
soldiers while attendants wave wreaths and flowers; the second plate
illustrates the funeral procession through the city with soldiers,
attendants and mourners carrying torches and wreaths, horses prancing,
mourners wailing, etc; the third plate illustrates the cremation of a body
upon a pyre of logs some twenty feet high -in the foreground attendants
prepare sacrifices of animals and birds and (it appears) several
unfortunate people, possibly slaves; the fourth plate shows offerings of
dead animals, wine and fruits being placed before an elaborate memorial be
decked with garlands and wreaths.

The engraved title page is also of interest, picturing another flaming
cremation, this one taking place upon a pyre which is fully five stories
high, fitted out with columns and draped with curtains and statuary -at
the top a chariot and horses stand ready for the flight to the afterworld
(one assumes). The appendix is a charming little treatise published in the
same year, written by Nicolai Rigaltio, on the subject of parasites and
protecting the corpse from them. The second book, bound in, is a funeral
oration, also by Kirchmann, delivered at the funeral of Paulus Mercula.

Hardcover.  3.5"x5.5", engraved title page + an additional title page +
(44) + 649 +(47) + (2) + 24 pages + 4 engraved folding plates by Romeyn de
Hooghe; woodcut device on the title page and woodcut initials. The second
work contains a title page and 64 pages of text. Bound in old full vellum
with gilt spine decorations and a leather spine label; covers somewhat
soiled and with two small holes in the spine; some internal browning,
engraved title page torn at the upper corner, not affecting the image or
plate margin. [20586] $650.00

Illustrations-
<http://www.joslinhall.com/g-20586.htm>


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