Seder Tephiloth KeMinhag Italiani [Prayers for the whole year]. Miniature Prayer Book with Italian Silver Binding

AUCTION 9 | Tuesday, March 28th, 2000 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art

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Lot 193

(BINDING).

Seder Tephiloth KeMinhag Italiani [Prayers for the whole year]. Miniature Prayer Book with Italian Silver Binding

Silver cover, with identical sides each with ovoid convex cartouche engraved with the letters “LRM” surrounded by fruit forms, foliage and shells. Spine, with central diamond-form flanked by rocailles. Spiral fluted border soldered to edges of covers and spine. Hinge form clasp. No visible marks. Probably Italy, late 18th-early 19th century. Clasp replaced ff. 208. Lightly browned, dampstained in places, a.e.g. 16mo Vinograd, Venice 2033

Venice: Bragadin 1780

Est: $4,000 - $5,000

This miniature prayer book was likely a wedding gift. The initials within the cartouches on the covers being those of the bridal pair. Silver book covers became so popular as wedding gifts among wealthy Italian Jews in the late 18th century, that they were made with the cartouches left blank and engraved later by their owners. For a similar example, see The Israel Museum Catalogue, The Stieglitz Collection (1987) no.240, illus.1