[Fine Binding | Painted Vellum] Sakountala

Kālidāsa (adapted by Franz Toussaint). Sakountalâ. Paris: H. Piazza, L’Édition d’Art, 1922.  Limited to 500 copies on Japon paper, of which this is #101. Frontispiece in color within a gilt border by A. Touchet. Ornamental title, borders, head and tail-pieces printed in colors. Issued in the publisher’s "Ex Oriente Lux" series. Original wrappers bound in at front and rear.

Bound in full vellum, the front cover arranged in two horizontal registers of painted gilt panels: each register with three compartments framed in red rules and filled with stylized flowering shrubs on a gilt ground, the whole bordered above and below by a row of gilt tear-drop ornaments. Flat spine with a painted arabesque tool; rear cover with three small boteh (paisley) devices painted in red and green. Peach-and-gold patterned endpapers. Measures approx. 4.5" x 6.25". Vellum with some natural mellowing, a few minor handling marks. Light, even toning to the text block.

The only clues to whom the binder may have been are found in one of the other volumes from this grouping.