Beschreibung:

SMIRNOV, Iakov Ivanovich. Vostochnoe Serebro . [Eastern Silver. Catalogue of Ancient Eastern Tableware in Silver and Gold, found mainly in Russia]. St. Petersburg: Imperial Archaeological Commission. 1909.
SMIRNOV, Iakov Ivanovich. Vostochnoe Serebro . [Eastern Silver. Catalogue of Ancient Eastern Tableware in Silver and Gold, found mainly in Russia]. St. Petersburg: Imperial Archaeological Commission. 1909. 2° (420 x 302mm). 130 hors-text plates, 2 maps (Light marginal browning.) Loose as issued in the original cloth-backed portfolio with printed boards, text booklet in original blue printed wrappers (portfolio rubbed with some soiling and dampstaining, some wear to the booklet spine, ties worn). FIRST EDITION of Smirnov's important study of Central Asian silver, published to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Imperial Archaeological Commission (1859-1909). Illustrating more than 300 pieces, the work serves as an important pictorial record of ancient and early medieval metalwork, including important Sassanian pieces. The catalogue represents nearly every piece known at the time. An analysis, also in French, gives provenance and current locations, many of them in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.