Simon Gribelin’s engraving, “Five Circular Ornaments and Four Crests”, c.1682

Simon Gribelin (1661–1733)

“Five Circular Ornaments and Four Crests”, c.1682 (?), engraving of the artist’s own design and published by the artist in London between 1697 and 1704 from the series, “A Book of Ornaments Useful to Jewellers, Watchmakers and all other artists”.

Note that the V&A holds an impression of this print with the plate numbered, “2”, from a series of eight plates (see https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1043338/a-book-of-ornaments-useful-print-simon-gribelin/) and the Rijksmuseum holds an impression with plate numbered, “8”, from a series of eleven plates (see http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.487280). The date of execution that I have proposed, c.1682, is based on different plate from what I assume to be the same series held by the British Museum from a series of seven plates: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Gg-6-2-6.

Engraving on fine laid paper trimmed slightly within the image and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 19.1 x 15.1 cm.

Inscribed in plate: (lower left corner) “[S.] Gribelin.in.et.Sculps.”

Condition: a strong impression trimmed slightly within the image on the sides and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing support and wide margins. The trimmed sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or stains.

I am selling this rare and exceptionally fine engraving of designs for gold and silversmiths—interestingly, I understand (and I may be incorrect) that the four crest designs reference the Classical Greek elements: Fire, Air, Earth, & Water—for AU$288 (currently US$189.96/EUR174.50/GBP148.98 at the time of posting this print) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this masterwork of engraved designs that is seldom seen on the art market, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.