IRAN or INDIA - Eight Indian erotic paintings, accordion mounted.

SUPERB SET of eight remarkable free miniatures, presenting couples in natural decorations. The miniatures are painted in Iran or India in late 19th - early 20th century]. Each of the 8 miniatures are about 165 x 110 mm, painted in oil and gouache on cardboard, with gold highlights, framed with papers of various shades (red, burgundy, black or pale blue) and laminated on coloured boxes. The miniatures are accordion-mounted and set in a bind stamped brown calf binding.

Provenance:Bibliothèque Erotique Gérard Nordmann, with his exlibris on onside board. Gérard Nordmann (1930-1992) His collection of "historical erotica" was basically the biggest collection of very naughty books in private ownership. The Gérard Nordmann Library, contained more than 1,200 items. After his death the collection was passed to his wife Monique, who published in 2004 a book "Eros invaincu : la bibliothèque Gérard Nordmann".
998 books of the collection were sold at auction in 2006.

Born in 1930, Gérard Nordmann came from a Swiss family which owned the Le Printemps department store, as well as a chain of shops in Switzerland. He made no secret of his interest in erotica and would discuss acquisitions quite openly with friends and family.