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56. MONTESQUIOU, Robert de. An album of 10 original watercolors by Robert de
Montesquiou, most either signed or initialed, tipped to thick sheets of paper. The images are
quite diverse, ranging from an eerily symbolistic drawing of a dwarf from A Thousand and One
Nights to accomplished portrayals of fin de siècle aristocratic women in elaborate costumes, a
nude woman being enveloped by a sinister snake-like creature, wildlife and designs for of his
cherished Chinese porcelain vases. Various sizes, but generally 9” x 12”.
Generally very good, a few bear small tears, light staining. An uncommon group of original
work by a talented artist. Please inquire for more images. $2000.
57. MONTESQUIOU, Robert de. Histoire de Gnomon: qui gagne vingt francs par dos racontée par
un temoin de sa vie. A curious illustrated manuscript Montesquiou, quite unlike most of his other
works. The document is bound in stiff paper covers with the following notation on the cover:
"Gnoma apporte-moi tes secours domestiques...Clavicula Salomonis/1686". The Clavicula Salomnis was
a famous Hebrew manuscript that originally appeared in the 17th century and served as the oracle
of sorcerers. Some of the material dates much earlier to the 14th century and contains detailed
descriptions of spirits and the conjurations needed to evoke and oblige them to do the will of the
conjurer (referred to as the "exorcist"). It details the protective signs and rituals to be performed,
the actions necessary to prevent the spirits from gaining control, the preparations prior to the
invocations, and instructions on how to make the necessary instruments for the execution of
these rituals.
"Gnomon" was also the name given to an aesthetic process utilized by James Joyce in his
set of short stories Dubliners (1914), whereby there is some absence, removal, or avoidance in
each story. A shape which, when added to a figure, yields another figure similar to the original.
Montesquiou's interpretation of the word is distinctly original and unusual in its whimsicality.
Bound in original blue stiff boards, the images are tipped onto stiff sheets. The images are
all initialed by Montesquiou and several appear to have sketches on versos. Very good, a few
have corrections by Montesquiou, occasional small edge tears, one small chip. The spine of the
portfolio is rather worn and cracking. Laid in to the manuscript is a letter from the famed French
bookdealer Pierre Berès, quoting the book to the previous owner. Please inquire for more
images. $2400.