O’NEILL, Henry. Fine Arts and Civilisation of Ancient Ireland.

O'NEILL, Henry.

Fine Arts and Civilisation of Ancient Ireland. Illustrated with chromo and other lithographs, and several woodcuts. London: Smith & Dublin, Herbert, 1858. Small folio. pp. vi, 118, 23 (plates). Blue blind-stamped cloth, title in gilt on upper cover. Spine professionally rebacked. A very good copy. Very scarce.

O'Neill has stated: "that Ancient Irish Art originated in Heathen times; that it was the most masterly development of Ornamental Art the world has ever seen; and in applying the style to sculpture the Irish Artists made colour an essential portion of their designs ... My hope is that to make known the excellency of the noble sculptured Crosses of Ireland may be a means of adding the store of human knowledge ... that my native land was anciently the most civilised in Europe ... to create an interest in a fine country and a gifted people, who still retain evidence that they were once 'Great, glorious and free' and Ireland was 'The Emerald' gem of the western world."

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