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

Estimate: $4,000–$5,000
Hammer price: Not recorded

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

(BINDING).

printer

Bragadin

Place

Venice

Publication

1780

Description

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

references

Vinograd, Venice 2033

summary

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

ff. 208. Lightly browned, dampstained in places, a.e.g. 16mo

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