202 - China - BRETON DE LA MARTINIÈRE (Jean-Baptiste). China in Miniature, or a Selection of Costumes, Arts, and Crafts of That Empire. Paris, Nepveu, 1811–1812.

China - BRETON DE LA MARTINIÈRE (Jean-Baptiste). China in Miniature, or a Selection of Costumes, Arts, and Crafts of That Empire. Paris, Nepveu, 1811–1812. 2 parts in 6 volumes bound in 3 in-16 volumes, green morocco leather, smooth spines richly decorated, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, gilt roulette on the edges and inside, gilt edges (contemporary binding). First edition, complete with the supplement (volumes 5 and 6) of this miniature encyclopedia on the arts, crafts, customs, and costumes of China. It is illustrated with 188 inset plates, including several fold-outs depicting figures in period costumes, views, monuments, etc. One of 60 copies on vellum, featuring the illustrations in two versions (black-and-white and color) for the first part. (Brunet I, 1226; Colas 433.) For his explanatory notes, the author drew upon all ancient and modern accounts and documents published from Kircher to Kotzebüe. Most of the engravings were based on unpublished originals from the collection of Henri Bertin, the famous Minister of State and Controller-General of Finances under Louis XV, a patron of the arts and industry with a passion for China. A precious and rare copy bound in period morocco leather.