Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Gethsémani ou Notice sur l'Église de l'Agonie ou de la Prière d'après les Fouilles Récentes Accomplies par la Custodie Franciscaine de Terre Sainte (1909 et 1920)

Paris: Auguste Picard, 1924. First edition. Softcover. Large quarto. [4], II, 32, [2]pp (Text), XXIII leaves (Plates). Uncut. Original printed wrappers, with front cover in red and black lettering. Publisher's logo to front cover and title page.

Illustrated with 23 striking b/w and color plates (including several folded), this monograph documents the archaeological findings unearthed on the site of Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, most famous as the place where Jesus prayed and his disciples slept the night before His crucifixion. The excavations conducted in 1909 and 1920 by revealed the presence of a 4th-century Byzantine Church paved with fine mosaics (fragments of these are reproduced in five color plates). The building was probably destroyed by an earthquake in 746. Another major discovery unearthed during the excavations was the presence of a 12th-century Crusader chapel adorned with magnificent frescoes (a fragment of these is reproduced in a color plate). The chapel was abandoned around 1345 as attested by pilgrim Nicholas of Poggibonsi who found it devasted in 1347. In 1461, the bishop of Saints, Louis de Rochechouart, saw only a plain wall. In 1644, a lone heap of stones from this remained. This Crusader church was probably restored at some time or other by Palestinian Christians. Part of the ruins is still to be seen today in the new basilica of the Agony, also known as the Church of All Nations. The new Church, completed in 1924 rests on the foundations of the medieval Crusader chapel, and the 4th-century Byzantine basilica.

Spine slightly creased. Minor and sporadic creasing and soiling along edges of wrappers. Book block slightly starting. Text in French. Wrappers in overall good to good+, interior in very good condition. g to vg. Item #39823

Price: $250.00

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