Emblème des Fleurs Emblème des Fleurs Contenant le symbole et le langage des Fleurs, leur Histoire et origine mythologiques, ainsi que les plus jolis vers qu'elles ont inspirés à nos meilleurs Poètes. 5th Edition, Revue et Augmenté,

CHAMBET (Charles-Joseph)

Published by Paris L. Maison Quai des Augustines 49, 1844

About this Item

Small 8vo, 136 x 82 mms., pp. 188, coloured frontispiece and 10 additional coloured plaes of flowers (probably by the method invented by Charles Knight, circa 1838), bound with original stiff paper wrappers contained in a serviceable 19th century quarter morocco and paper boards, with gilt spine. The literature on the symbolism of flours is extensive, and so far as I can tell, often contradictory. For example, in Greek mythology, the hyacinth is a representation of Hyacinthus, a man belonging to Sparta who was loved by Apollo, the god associated with the sun, although not the original sun god. This origin story, too, has multiple endings, although by most accounts it begins in the same way. The legend goes that one day Apollo was teaching Hyacinthus how to throw a discus when it struck Hyacinthus and killed him. In Verdi's La Traviata, in the first act Violetta offers Alfredo a fresh flower (usually red) and tells him to bring it back when it has withered. The flower duet in Delibes' opera Lakmé, was made famous when British Airways used the tune in commercials; and, finally, in Bizet's Carmen, "the wild gypsy girl," throws a flower to Don Jose, which leads to the tenor's nostalgic reflection, "La fleur que tu m'avais jetée." OK, that's enough from an opera nut. Seller Inventory # 10363

Bibliographic Details

Title: Emblème des Fleurs Emblème des Fleurs ...

Publisher: Paris L. Maison Quai des Augustines 49

Publication Date: 1844

Binding: Soft cover