Woodcut from the circle of the Venetian printer, Paolo Balleonio, “Double-Headed Eagle”, c1716

Unidentified printmaker from the circle of the Venetian printer, Paolo Balleonio (fl.1716)

Note that the Venetian publisher, Paolo Baglioni (fl. c1629–late 1600s), used a variation of the double-headed eagle emblem as his printer’s device (see https://marques.crai.ub.edu/en/printer/a11608511  and https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_LwePqEImq2MC/page/n5/mode/2up).

“Double-Headed Eagle” (aka “Aigle à Deux Têtes”; “Aigle Bicéphale”), c1716, title page emblem woodcut featured in two publications:

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista de Luca's “Theatrum Veritatis & Justitiæ”, book 6, printed by Paolo Balleonio and published in Venice by Typographia Balleoniana (c1702–c1860) in 1726 (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1928-1210-287);

- Prospero Fagnani’s (1598–1678) “Repertorium seu Index generalis rerum ac verborum in commentarios Prosperi Fagnani super quinque libros Decretalium: alphabetica serie digestus, & iuxta materiarum varietatem subdistinctus” (A repertory or general index of things and words in the commentaries of Prosperus Fagnani on the five books of the Decretals: arranged in alphabetical order, and subdivided according to the variety of materials), published in Venice by Typographia Balleoniana in 1742 (see https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_qApnAAAAcAAJ/mode/1up).

Woodcut (the British Museum describes it as an engraving [see inv. no. 1928,1210.287]) on laid paper trimmed around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 10.7 x 14.5 cm.

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “… image of coat of arms, featuring double-headed eagle surmounted by crown, framed by acanthus leaves, laurel and oak branches, on which birds are sitting; two eagles in the front. Engraving and letterpress” (BM inv. no. 1928,1210.287).

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or foxing, laid upon a support of millennium quality washi paper to provide generous margins.

I am selling this visually arresting emblem print for the total cost of AU$217 (currently US$151.66/EUR148.30/GBP124.51 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this finely executed woodcut—note that although the British Museum describes this print as an engraving (see (BM inv. no. 1928,1210.287), I believe it is a woodcut—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold