Lot Essay
The first edition of Pierre-François Hugues, called d'Hancarville (1719-1805) Collection of Etruscan, Greek and Roman Antiquities from the Cabinet of the Hon. William Hamilton was published in 1766-67. Hamilton assembled his collection of ancient vases after his appointment to the court of Naples in 1764. The collection was sold to the British Museum in 1772, but before it was shipped to England all the objects were listed, drawn and described to be published in d'Hancarville's four volumns. The hand-coloured engraved plates had a significant impact on neo-classical design and taste, including influencing Josiah Wedgwood.