| On the previous page we were examining a certain decorative style of Jean Picard that closely duplicated similar work by the Fleur-de-lis Binder. Now we find that yet another binder has copied this design arrangement and has a duplicate set of tools, that match closely the tools of Picard. When I first saw this binding I thought some of the imprints had to come from Picard's tools. The replication of the tools so well done that only with magnification can you observe subtile differences. In Comparative Diagram 1, shown below, I compare the plaques of these three binders, here at least we can see certain obvious differences. |
| In Comparative Diagram 2, we see that these imprints are so similar that one can't be sure that they have been made with different tools or the same tools. Perhaps more significant is the fact that the Fleur-de-lis Binder does not seem to have this tool! |
| In Comparative Diagram 3, we see that Du Saix master has not copied the flowers of the Fleur-de-lis- binder, but he has most certainly, flowers that look like those of Picard. On the supposed basis of Picard only starting on bindings for Grolier after 1540, it would appear therefore that Picard was copying the tools of Du Saix Master. This could explain as well why we do not see certain tools in the Fleur-du-lis Binder kit that are found in both the Du Saix Master and Picard kits, (or it may be too that I have not found all the Fleur-de-lis Binder tools). |
| In Comparative Diagram 4, we see another Fleur-de-lis Binder tool that Nixon did not catalogue. We can easily imagine that this tool was copied by Du Saix Master and that then copied by Picard, it may be that the original tool was in one piece but became 3 different tools for Picard. |
| In Comparative Diagram 5, we see another Fleur-de-lis Binder tool that slowly transforms... from high wings and an Islamic dome shaped head to lowered wings and rounded knob shaped head. But the real mystery is this next imprint... I need to find more of these. |
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