Two volumes, in two different hands, with drawings in ink (some colored) on vellum of swan marks granted by the King of England to persons who have lands valued at least 500 marks and who wish to keep swans, otherwise designated a royal bird and the property of the crown. The catalog of marks assigned to each family, in rough alphabetic order is preceded by a summary of various laws related to the keeping of swans and their designation as royal game. From Horace Walpole's 1774 edition of Description of the villa of Mr. Horace Walpole at Strawberry-Hill near Twickenham, Middlesex: Curious books in the glass closet in the library ... Two books of swan-marks, on vellum: extremely rare
Description:
In English and Latin., Title from preliminary leaf, larger volume, on paper bound in preceding marks on vellum leaves., Title on preliminary leaf in smaller volume: The swane booke., Both volumes with the armorial bookplate of Earl of Derby, 1775-1851 and press mark 25. B., and Text from the 1842 Catalogue of the classic contents of Strawberry Hill collected by Horace Walpole: Two books of Swanmark's, 8vo, bound in vellum, and extremely rare.
Two volumes, in two different hands, with drawings in ink (some colored) on vellum of swan marks granted by the King of England to persons who have lands valued at least 500 marks and who wish to keep swans, otherwise designated a royal bird and the property of the crown. The catalog of marks assigned to each family, in rough alphabetic order is preceded by a summary of various laws related to the keeping of swans and their designation as royal game. From Horace Walpole's 1774 edition of Description of the villa of Mr. Horace Walpole at Strawberry-Hill near Twickenham, Middlesex: Curious books in the glass closet in the library ... Two books of swan-marks, on vellum: extremely rare
Description:
In English and Latin., Title from preliminary leaf, larger volume, on paper bound in preceding marks on vellum leaves., Title on preliminary leaf in smaller volume: The swane booke., Both volumes with the armorial bookplate of Earl of Derby, 1775-1851 and press mark 25. B., and Text from the 1842 Catalogue of the classic contents of Strawberry Hill collected by Horace Walpole: Two books of Swanmark's, 8vo, bound in vellum, and extremely rare.
A Flemish or Dutch drawing of a female saint in a Poor Clare habit and with a crown of thorns (probably Catherine of Siena) kneeling before a crucifix, arms crossed over her chest, as she resists the temptation of riches, power, and pleasure. Riches are represented by three well-dressed men on the left offering her treasure, including an open chest filled with coins and valuables. Power is represented by a crown suspended in the cloud above, while pleasure represented on the right by two female musicians, one playing a flute and another a lute, while a third woman offers a bouquet of flowers. Above and behind the figures on the left is the ruin of a building. In the clouds on the right above the musicians, the triumph of faith over temptation is represented as the grim reaper with a scythe cutting down three kings whose crowns topple from their heads
Alternative Title:
Female saint worshipping a crucifix
Description:
Title devised by cataloger., Date of the drawing is questionable. Possibly a much later drawing, 17th-century?, On verso, in unknown (possibly W.S. Lewis's) hand: "A Flemish drawing of a female saint worshipping a crucifix.", On verso: "Probably not Horace Walpole's. W.S. Lewis 7 Feb. '73.", On verso: "'Late 15th or early 16th century. Probably Dutch. Anne-Marie Logan, BAC, Sept. 30, 1996.", Lower right corner of image, ownership stamp initial 'D' encircled., Numbered on mount in upper right corner in ink '83' and in a different hand in pencil '63'., Formerly shelved as part of the SH Drawings collection., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Name):
Catherine, of Siena, Saint, 1347-1380
Subject (Topic):
In art, Grim Reaper (Symbolic character), Crucifixes, Musicians, Prayer, Saints, Temptation, and Wealth