Illustrated Manuscript about Cosmology, Physiognomy and Palmistry – Italy, 17th or 18th Century

Illustrated Manuscript about Cosmology, Physiognomy and Palmistry – Italy, 17th or 18th Century
Illustrated manuscript about cosmology, physiognomy and palmistry. [Italy, 17th or 18th century]. Italian.
A manuscript about cosmology, physiognomy and palmistry with quotations from Aristotle and Paracelsus. The composition opens with an introduction by the author, the doctor Iaddeo Aggetio.
The manuscript is written in two different handwritings and includes 49 illustrations – various portraits demonstrating how to define the character, personality and destiny of a person by the pattern of lines on his forehead [Metoposcopy – a form of divination common in the 16th-17th century]. A short explanatory text appears below each illustration.
The composition opens with a detailed illustration, spread on the entire page, of a person holding in his hand a physiognomy book; an angel above him holds a mirror and enables him to see the reflection of his face.
The manuscript is bound in a contemporary vellum binding. On the front endpaper appears an inscription in Italian – "Gift T. Samuel Semak [Semah?]", dated: "Pisa Li 13 Febb. 5553" [Pisa, Italy, February 1793].
Enclosed are two small pieces of paper with drawings of portraits (drafts for the manuscript?).
[22] leaves (illustrated title page and composition leaves), [9] blank leaves, [49] illustration leaves, 14.5 cm. Good-fair condition.
Stains. Dark stains and tears resulting from spreading ink and ink erosion (damaging the text and illustrations in several places). Worming. Slight creases. Small tear at the margin of one of the front endpapers. Vellum binding, with stains and slight defects. Faded inscription in (ancient) handwriting on spine.