Vetustissimae tabulae aeneae sacris Aegyptiorum . . . Venice, apud Io: Anto: Rampazettum,

Engraved view of Venice on title-page, five leaves illustrated with woodcuts at the end, numerous woodcuts in the text.4to. [6]ff. 43pp. [5]ff. Early 19th century vellum over paste-board, simple gilt border on covers, spine decorated in compartments (rubbed).

First edition of one of the earliest works of Egyptology. Discovered in the ruins of the Temple of Isis in Rome in 1527 the Mensa Isiaca (a bronze table top) was perhaps the most famous Egyptian piece known at the time. Of all the scholars trying to explain the function of the Mensa Isiaca Pignoria's explanation proved to be the simplest and most convincing. Pignoria (1571-1631) believed that the Mensa Isiaca was a representation of sacrificial ceremonies according to the Egyptian rites. To get his point across Pignoria made sure that his work was profusely illustrated with seemingly strange and curious images of Egypt. A few special copies hold a large folding plate by Enea Vico not found here.Brunet IV 652. Cicognara 2544.

Stock Code: 46974