CURIOSA - "8 Manières d'oiseau" (8 Ways of Birding) - Lot 57

Lot 57
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CURIOSA - "8 Manières d'oiseau" (8 Ways of Birding) - Lot 57
CURIOSA - "8 Manières d'oiseau" (8 Ways of Birding) Anonymous autograph manuscript entitled 8 Manières d'oiseau. S.l., n.d. 1 page in-8. Tiled sheet, laminated to a second antique backing to ensure strength. Recipes and formulas of a magical or superstitious nature Curious manuscript containing a series of recipes and procedures attributing extraordinary virtues to certain bird parts, a combination of folk magic, superstition and empirical medicine. The text lists various preparations supposed to produce powerful effects, both on the body and on human relationships: "De l'Aigle-Cervelle et suc de Cigüe, ceux qui en mangeont s'arracheront les cheveux..." "Wearing the feet of this bird [the lark] [...] will be victorious everywhere...". "Putting it in meat or wine will win the love of those who drink it...". The whole evokes traditions of philtres, talismans and practices of domination or seduction, frequent in popular cultures. Of interest Attractive piece for : its unusual and mysterious character ; a content based on magical folklore and popular beliefs ; the quasi-alchemical/medicinal dimension of the recipes; a lively, colourful and evocative text; a typical "curiosa" object sought after by collectors. Context This type of manuscript is part of an ancient tradition combining empirical knowledge, superstition and domestic magic. References to animal and plant substances and their supposed effects (love, domination, protection) are reminiscent of popular grimoires or collections of secret recipes circulating outside scholarly circles.
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