643 - Decorative Papers

Decorative Papers Munck, Johann Carl Brocade paper with rocaille motifs and acanthus leaves, featuring 16 depictions of saints. Mid-18th century. Includes manufacturer’s address: Augsburg, at Johan Carl. Munck No. 26. Silver embossing on carmine-red paper. 38.6 x 32 cm (43 x 35.3 cm). Haemmerle 207. - Provenance: Christie’s, Auction 9364, Lot 260. - The sheet is composed as a religious picture sheet featuring sixteen saints, each set within a rectangular panel framed by rich acanthus and vine motifs—a repertoire of motifs typical of Baroque brocade papers depicting saints. The figures bear halos and characteristic attributes (such as a crozier, book, palm branch, or tools), which allow them to be identified as Jesus Christ, the apostles, evangelists, and popular saints of 18th-century Roman Catholic piety, presenting the user of the book or box with an entire “community of protection” of patron saints. Munck’s brocade papers were primarily used as precious cover or endpapers for liturgical books, prayer and hymnals, as well as for festive and dedicatory publications, with the resplendent images of saints mimicking the outward appearance of a precious metal or silk binding. In keeping with Baroque representational culture, decorative splendor was thus combined with piety: The colored paper served both to enhance the object’s aesthetic value and as a visual, ever-present devotional image that signaled protection, intercession, and class consciousness. — With a slight center crease and an irregular print image. Colored Paper. - Brocade paper with rocailles and acanthus leaves featuring 16 depictions of saints. Mid-18th century. With manufacturer’s address: Augsp. bey Johan Carl. Munck No. 26. Silver embossing on carmine red paper. Haemmerle 207. - Provenance: Christie’s, Auction 9364, Lot 260. - The sheet is designed as a religious picture sheet featuring sixteen saints, each set within a rectangular field framed by a rich acanthus and vine border—a motif typical of Baroque brocade papers depicting saints. The figures wear halos and characteristic attributes (such as a cross, book, palm, or tools) that allow them to be identified as Jesus Christ, the apostles, the evangelists, and popular saints of 18th-century Roman Catholic piety, presenting the user of the book or box with an entire “protective community” of patrons. Munck’s brocade papers were favored as precious covers or endpapers for liturgical books, prayer books, and hymnals, as well as for festive and commemorative publications, with the glittering images of saints mimicking the outward appearance of a precious metal or silk cover. In keeping with Baroque representational culture, decorative splendor was thus combined with piety: the colored paper served both as an aesthetic enhancement of the object and as a visual, ever-present devotional image that signaled protection, intercession, and class consciousness. — With a slight center fold and an irregular print image.