![[POLENI, Giovanni (1683-1761).] Memorie Istoriche della Gran Cupola del Tempio Vaticano. Padua: 1748. 2° (453 x 320mm). Text in double columns, half-title, 9 engraved folding plates, 19 full-page illustrations, some folding, engraved head- and tail-pieces. (Occasional light dust-soiling, title-page with some small creases to upper corner.) Calf-backed contemporary decorative paper boards, with red morocco label to spine lettered in gilt, red speckled edges (boards worn with some loss). Provenance: John Lewis Wolfe (1798-1801, architect and stock-broker; inscription dated Rome, 1822) -- Joseph Gwilt (1784-1863; armorial bookplate) -- Sir Albert Richardson (purchased in 1907).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2013/CKS/2013_CKS_01186_0338_000(poleni_giovanni_memorie_istoriche_della_gran_cupola_del_tempio_vatican012835).jpg?w=1)
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[POLENI, Giovanni (1683-1761).] Memorie Istoriche della Gran Cupola del Tempio Vaticano. Padua: 1748. 2° (453 x 320mm). Text in double columns, half-title, 9 engraved folding plates, 19 full-page illustrations, some folding, engraved head- and tail-pieces. (Occasional light dust-soiling, title-page with some small creases to upper corner.) Calf-backed contemporary decorative paper boards, with red morocco label to spine lettered in gilt, red speckled edges (boards worn with some loss). Provenance: John Lewis Wolfe (1798-1801, architect and stock-broker; inscription dated Rome, 1822) -- Joseph Gwilt (1784-1863; armorial bookplate) -- Sir Albert Richardson (purchased in 1907).
FIRST EDITION, WITH AN INTERESTING PROVENANCE. Elected Pope in 1740, Benedict XIV sought to stabilise the deteriorating fabric of St. Peter's basilica. In 1742, following four committees which recommended taking no action, the Pope appointed Poleni to chair a commission of 29 experts to produce a definitive report. Each expert however produced their own report, but the Pope accepted Poleni's which recommended repairing the major cracks and encircling the dome with iron trusses. The work was carried out in 1743 and 1744 and this book was commissioned to mark its completion. John Lewis Wolfe purchased this copy whilst travelling in Europe with fellow architects including the founder of the R.I.B.A. Thomas Donaldson. Wolfe was a close friend of Charles Barry, acting as a 'fresh eye, and critic' (Wolfe's Memoirs) to the famous architect, advising on the latter's designs for the Reform and the Travellers Clubs, and the Palace of Westminster. Later in the collection of architect and author Joseph Gwilt. RIBA 2588.
FIRST EDITION, WITH AN INTERESTING PROVENANCE. Elected Pope in 1740, Benedict XIV sought to stabilise the deteriorating fabric of St. Peter's basilica. In 1742, following four committees which recommended taking no action, the Pope appointed Poleni to chair a commission of 29 experts to produce a definitive report. Each expert however produced their own report, but the Pope accepted Poleni's which recommended repairing the major cracks and encircling the dome with iron trusses. The work was carried out in 1743 and 1744 and this book was commissioned to mark its completion. John Lewis Wolfe purchased this copy whilst travelling in Europe with fellow architects including the founder of the R.I.B.A. Thomas Donaldson. Wolfe was a close friend of Charles Barry, acting as a 'fresh eye, and critic' (Wolfe's Memoirs) to the famous architect, advising on the latter's designs for the Reform and the Travellers Clubs, and the Palace of Westminster. Later in the collection of architect and author Joseph Gwilt. RIBA 2588.
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