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Antique French Architectural Manuscript – 18th Century Estate Inventory
An original antique French handwritten architectural manuscript, provisionally dated to the 18th century, documenting the interior layout, construction and architectural features of a substantial house or estate.
Written in elegant, flowing French cursive in dark brown-black ink on period paper, the manuscript provides a remarkably detailed room-by-room description of the property. It records bedrooms, fireplaces, staircases, windows, doors, flooring and structural elements, together with their materials and fittings.
Particularly interesting are the references to dressed stone (pierre de taille), oak and fir timber, iron window bars, wooden partitions, locks, hinges and other architectural hardware. The document also describes service areas and outbuildings, offering insight into historical French domestic architecture and building practices.
The manuscript bears a prominent circular stamp with the word PARIS visible along its upper edge. The precise nature of the stamp and the document’s exact date have not yet been established.
Executed on generously sized sheets measuring approximately 13 × 10 inches when opened, the manuscript features closely spaced handwritten text, generous flourishes, original folds and occasional corrections. The paper exhibits age-related toning, minor staining, irregular edges and some ink show-through, consistent with its apparent age.
An appealing example of historical French architectural documentation, particularly suitable for collectors of early manuscripts, architectural history, French antiquities and historical property records.
Date: 18th century, provisionally circa 1750–1780.
Origin: France.
Language: French.
Condition: Antique condition with original folds, edge wear, scattered staining and minor losses. The handwriting remains largely legible.
