The armorial plate of the Abbé de Bourbon-Rothelin shows by its inescutcheon, and its supporters, that the owner was a descendant of the royal house of Bourbon. Charles d’Orléans, Abbé de Rothelin, a son of Henri d’Orléans, Marquis de Rothelin, was born August 5, 1691, and died July 17, 1744. He was an ardent collector of medals, books, and manuscripts, and was esteemed one of the most learned men of his day. At his death, his library, which was especially rich in early theological works, was sold and dispersed, but his collection of medals was acquired entire for the museum of the Escurial. (See reproduction, page 187.)
The arms, stamped on the sides of the books bound for him resembled those on his ex-libris, but without the columns in the background.
A very large ecclesiastical plate is that of Franciscus Tristanus de Cambon: Episcopus Mirapiscensis. This plate is in the best style of the early period of Louis XVI., and is signed J. Mercadier. Inv. et sculp. The shield is surmounted by the coronet of a count, over which is the bishop’s hat.
The plate of Archambault is a handsome specimen of the work of Sergent, signed “Sergent scul. Carnuti.” The date is very faint, but appears to be 1773.
“Affaires du Clergé” on the open book, the tables with the commandments, the mitre and crozier, sufficiently indicate that the owner of the plate was connected with the Church.
