Joannis Pierii Valeriani Bellunensis Hieroglyphica, Sive De Sacris Aegyptiorum aliarumq gentium literis, Commentariorum Libri LVIII. cum duobus alijs ab eruditissimo viro annexis. […]. Coloniae Agrippinae: Antonij Hierati, 1614. [together with] Pro Sacerdotum Barbis, Ad Clariss Cardinalem Hippolytum Medicem […]. Francofurti ad Moenum: Erasmus Rampffer, 1614.
An attractive early edition of the most influential Renaissance dictionary of symbols, emblems, and hieroglyphs, and one of the foundational books of emblem literature. Stimulated by the rediscovery of Horapollo’s Hieroglyphica in the 1420s, Valeriano’s vast work represents the culmination of humanist fascination with symbolism, allegory, and the interpretation of images and ancient texts. First published in 1556 and issued in at least nine editions, it quickly became the principal sourcebook for artists, writers, and scholars throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.
Arranged in sixty books, each dedicated to a prominent Renaissance figure, the Hieroglyphica functions as a comprehensive encyclopedia of symbolic meaning. Although ostensibly concerned with Egyptian hieroglyphs, Valeriano’s interpretations draw instead on alchemy, Greek mythology, pagan folklore, Egyptian religion, medieval bestiaries, lapidaries, and the Physiologus, making it a rich compendium of ancient and medieval lore. It has a large number of beautiful woodcuts throughout, many of which depict hybrid animals, mythological creatures (including the werewolf, griffin, etc), as well as occult symbols.
The present copy is particularly desirable for the extensive supplementary material bound in. It includes the Hieroglyphicorum Collectanea, a six-book encyclopaedia of symbolic imagery compiled from ancient and more recent authorities; an edition of Horapollo’s Hieroglyphica, the late antique Greek text that underpins the entire Renaissance hieroglyphic tradition; Valeriano’s Pro Sacerdotum Barbis, a learned declamation defending the philosophical and symbolic significance of beards; and a collection of his minor works and poems.
Size: 192 x 240 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(2), (cross)4, ē4, í4, ō4, ū4, āā4, ēē4, íí2, A-Z4, 2A-2Z4, 3A-3Z4, 4A-4Z4, 5A-5H4; a-p4, q2; A-Z4, 2A-2I4, A-C4, (2)]
Collates as complete through all sections. Modern full vellum binding with title in MS ink to upper spine. Five raised bands. Some wear to spine and extremities, minor discolouration, else externally a very smart copy indeed with both boards securely attached and the binding secure, standing without shelf lean. A few closed tears and good quality paper repairs, small worm tracks, not affecting legibility of text. Some marginal loss at the foot of some leaves in the final work not affecting text, small hole through text of final leaf of Index. Text block toned throughout, heavily in places, some foxing, but fully legible with the full suite of woodcuts.
