Barrons Books and Baubles

07/05/2014

An Irish Classic

A handmade, limited edition copy of Ulysses by James Joyce. This edition sports a soft cover and was published in 1922 by Shakespeare and Company in Paris. This edition is also signed by the author.

Ulysses contains 18 chapters, roughly chronicalling a life in one day. Taken from Homer's epic the Odyssey, Ulysses is a touching tribute not only to life in Dublin but to the city of Dublin.

Serious inquiries only.

30/01/2014

A fine pair of beasts..

We are pleased to announce this latest acquisition for your viewing pleasure:

A classic yet rare pair of “rope bracelets” adorned with lion heads Circa 4th Century BCE (400 BC - 300 BC)

A classic yet rare pair of “rope bracelets” adorned with lion heads - “Rope bracelet” is the term often used to describe jewelry of this type, variations of which have been worn by numerous cultures over many centuries. Bracelets might be simple smooth ropes, twisted ropes, and could be uncapped or display a variety of terminals. One of the most interesting variations is in the use of zoomorphic terminals. Depending on the culture and era, the terminals might depict the full animal or only the head, as with the lion's heads on this pair. Both forms have been found among rope bracelets from the Achaemenid Empire, but their jewelry tended to have a more elaborately curved shape, rather than the simple circular profile of the pair seen here. The circular shape is thought to be associated with later Greek designs, though some circular bracelets have been attributed to the Achaemenid culture. This pair of gold bracelets is nearly identical to a gold and silver pair, attributed to the early 4th century BCE Bosporan Kingdom, a Hellenistic state on the Taman Peninsula. That pair was found in Panticapaeum, and is now in the collection of the Hermitage State Museum in Russia.

Expertise: Analytical Tests: XRF Analysis and Uranium, Thorium-Helium Dated

Location of Origin: Asia

Medium/Materials: Gold

Dimensions: 3” (7.6cm) in Diameter

Pricing & Provenance: Available by private appointment only

04/09/2013

Silver Gilt Fede Ring, Circa 1650

Proudly presenting a circa 1650's Silver Gilt Fede Ring. The fede, or "clasped hands" ring, is the predecessor to the popular Irish Claddagh ring . Fede is derived from an Italian phrase meaning "hands in faith" or "hands in loyalty". They date from Roman times, when they were referred to as Concordia rings. So named for the goddess of marital harmony, Concord. The clasped hands represent pledging of vows, therefore thought to be related to engagement or wedding rings from medieval and Renaissance times.

Note the details in this particular ring, starting with the slightly larger, more masculine hand on the right hand side joining with the smaller, feminine hand on the left. The two hands surround what is thought to be a flaming heart, as denoted by the three peaks at the top. Unique to this ring are the trefoil designs around the wrists, perhaps denoting a cuff.

This ring is fire gilded silver, common for the time period. This method leads to a greater durability and gold with a unusual unmatched color. Almost an inch in diameter.

Pricing & Provenance: Available by private appointment only

23/08/2013

Quiet moments here at B.B.&B. ~ Where do you go now the walls have come down?

20/08/2013

A unique and exquisite offering here at B.B.&B. this evening.

GOYA’S EXTRAORDINARY PROVERBIOS: 1864 FIRST EDITION, ETCHINGS

A first edition of Goya’s allegorical series of 18 original etchings with aquatint—one of only 300 copies in the first printing. “This edition is very well printed; the impressions are richly inked and tone is usually left on the highlights” (JZB).

Although none of the plates in the Proverbios have titles, it seems logical to suppose that Goya intended to title them as he had with the Caprichos and other sets of his engravings. “Research into the proverbs of his time has in fact revealed sayings which seem appropriate as titles for many of the Proverbios compositions, though it should be borne in mind that Goya very probably twisted the sayings by giving them some particular social, religious or political significance, which might well make them difficult to recognize” (JZB).

The 18 plates were not published during Goya’s lifetime, having been stored by his son after the artist’s death. The date of composition is debated but is generally accepted to be concurrent to, and after the completion of, the Tauromaquia series. Trial proofs were made by Roman Sarreta in 1854, although the images were exceptionally poor. The set presented here is from the first edition by Laurenciano Potenciano who had printed previously Goya’s masterpiece Desastres de la Guerra in 1863. “Impressions from the posthumous first edition of 1864 are very fine and are often superior to the weakly inked trial proofs of 1854” (Harris II, 434). There is no complete record of the plates in any of the working proof states, and no contemporary edition was made from the finished plates during Goya’s lifetime. Plates 8, 12, 16, 17 and 18 are not known in any contemporary impressions prior to this 1864 first edition. Lithograph title by J. Aragon and the complete set of 18 unnumbered etchings with aquatint on thick wove paper with the watermark ‘J.G.O.’ and a palmette device (partial palmette watermark visible on sheets 1, 3, 11, 17 and 18). Sheet size 326mm by 477mm. Harris II: 248-65.

A fine copy of the scarce first edition.

Pricing and Provenance: Available upon private appointment.

20/08/2013

We at B.B.&B. are pleased to announce this rare offering.

Silver Letter Opener with Ancient Luristan Dagger (1000 BC - 0)

Description: Dagger: Luristan, 1st Millennium BC

Silver parts with Bijarcheo Design, modern

Silver letter opener, with the blade of a period bronze Luristan dagger set in the silver. The silver handle consists of a striated egg-shaped k**b with, on top, a ruby cabochon and on the base, a line of six rubies set in 18 karat gold. The hilt has four faces and the curve of each ridge is decorated with a ruby cabochon set in 18-karat gold.

Expertise: Luristan, a mountainous zone in the west of Iran, developed a culture of magnificent bronze objects that shows a very developed technical nature. Called canonical bronze, it began shortly before the Iron Age during the 1st millennium BC. These Luristan objects were traditionally made for burials and probably crafted by nomads of Persian and Medes origins.

Date: -1000 BC-0

Location of Origin: Middle East / Western Asia / Northern Africa

Provenance: Bijarchéo from Galerie Golconda

Medium/Materials: bronze, gold 18 K, silver, rubies

Dimensions: gold 18 karats: 6g; silver: 84g; total weight of the dagger: 125.7g; length: 24.5cm; width: 3.3 cm

Price: Available upon request – inquire at the front desk

12/08/2013