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BOTTA, Paul E´mile (1802-1870). Monument de Ninive. Paris: Imprimerie Nationale, 1849-1850.
First edition of a large and important work on Assyriology. In 1842, Botta secured an appointment as consul at Mosul in Ottoman Mesopotamia, and soon after began excavations in the hopes of discovering the lost cities of Assyria. In 1843, he unearthed at Khorsabad what he believed to be part of the ancient city of Nineveh, but which was actually the palace of Assyrian King Sargon II, built in the 8th century BC. Commissioned by the French government to continue his work, he was joined by the artist Eugène Flandin who made on-site drawings of Botta’s discoveries, many of which illustrate the present work. Although Botta was mistaken in his belief that he had uncovered Nineveh, his work inspired the British explorer Austen Henry Layard to lead further excavations in the region, which in 1847 led to Nineveh’s discovery at Kuyunjik. Botta’s pioneering work ushered in a golden era of classical archaeology, inspiring excavations which led to the discovery of numerous lost cities across the globe. Brunet I, 1144.
5 volumes, comprising 4 atlas volumes and one text volume, folio (605 x 423mm). A total of 374 engraved plates, of which 23 double-page, several coloured or partly coloured, comprising 171 plates in vols.1-2 (Architecture et sculpture; numbered 1-165, plus 6 bis plates) and 203 plates in vols.3-4 (Inscriptions; numbered 1-183, plus 20 bis plates) (some spots and marginal waterstains). Contemporary quarter purple morocco over cloth, spine ruled and lettered in gilt, lettered ‘P-M’ at foot of spine (somewhat faded, lightly rubbed, a few stains).
First edition of a large and important work on Assyriology. In 1842, Botta secured an appointment as consul at Mosul in Ottoman Mesopotamia, and soon after began excavations in the hopes of discovering the lost cities of Assyria. In 1843, he unearthed at Khorsabad what he believed to be part of the ancient city of Nineveh, but which was actually the palace of Assyrian King Sargon II, built in the 8th century BC. Commissioned by the French government to continue his work, he was joined by the artist Eugène Flandin who made on-site drawings of Botta’s discoveries, many of which illustrate the present work. Although Botta was mistaken in his belief that he had uncovered Nineveh, his work inspired the British explorer Austen Henry Layard to lead further excavations in the region, which in 1847 led to Nineveh’s discovery at Kuyunjik. Botta’s pioneering work ushered in a golden era of classical archaeology, inspiring excavations which led to the discovery of numerous lost cities across the globe. Brunet I, 1144.
5 volumes, comprising 4 atlas volumes and one text volume, folio (605 x 423mm). A total of 374 engraved plates, of which 23 double-page, several coloured or partly coloured, comprising 171 plates in vols.1-2 (Architecture et sculpture; numbered 1-165, plus 6 bis plates) and 203 plates in vols.3-4 (Inscriptions; numbered 1-183, plus 20 bis plates) (some spots and marginal waterstains). Contemporary quarter purple morocco over cloth, spine ruled and lettered in gilt, lettered ‘P-M’ at foot of spine (somewhat faded, lightly rubbed, a few stains).
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