199 - China - ALEXANDRE (Noël). The Conformity of Chinese Ceremonies with Greek and Roman Idolatry. To Serve as Confirmation of the Apology of the Dominican Missionaries in China. Cologne: The Heirs of Corneille d’Egmond, 1700.

China - ALEXANDRE (Noël). The Conformity of Chinese Ceremonies with Greek and Roman Idolatry. To Serve as Confirmation of the Apology of the Dominican Missionaries in China. Cologne: The Heirs of Corneille d’Egmond, 1700. In-12, grained calfskin, decorated ribbed spine (contemporary binding). First edition of this treatise on Chinese rites. At the end of the 17th century, a major conflict erupted between Catholic missionaries and the local Chinese over the use of traditional Chinese rituals in Christian worship. Known today as the Chinese Rites Controversy, this event caused a significant rift between the Jesuits and the Chinese who followed the rites. Furthermore, the Dominicans and Franciscans in China sided with Chinese traditions and rejected the Jesuits. Following the intervention of Pope Clement XI, the rites were ultimately banned as incompatible with Christianity and deemed too secular to be continued. Some wear on the headdresses; otherwise, a fine copy.