Plata

Plata — marelibri

covering THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

1885ref. ST20549cOxford: Printed at the University Press for Peacock Mansfield and Britton London ca. 1885. 146 x 80 mm. 5 3/4 x 3 1/8". 536 pp. IN A LOVELY 18TH CENTURY SILVER BINDING over contemporary brown morocco DONE IN THE FRENCH RÉGENCE STYLE combining piercing with repoussé ornamentation the covers with central cartouche depicting a scene from the life of Christ in repoussé that on the front cover showing the Baptism of Christ with two hallmarks at the upper left an "A" and a rooster that on the lower cover showing the Ascension this surrounded by a pierced frame of rocaille drawer handles vases of flowers swans a leafy fronds spine pierced with rocaille and flowers separating three allegorical putti ornaments representing Faith Hope and Charity two openwork rocaille clasps. Endpapers rather worn at fore edge isolated very faint foxing otherwise A FINE COPY the text clean and fresh and THE SILVER BINDING SPARKLING AND UNMARRED. This glittering binding is a lovely example of 18th century silverwork in nearly flawless condition. While we have been unable to identify the maker the binding is probably French. A silver binding on a 1686 copy of a Rotterdam "Speculum Poenitentiae" catalogued by Antiquariat Roo is identical to ours in size and design except for the content in the large central frames and is identified by them as French. They find a master's mark of "T. G" beneath the front scene not present on our binding. In any case the delicate symmetrical ornamentation featured on our binding is typical of French Régence decorative arts with scrolls studded with naturalistic embellishments that reward close inspection. Many charming details are hidden within the sea of volutes such as the swans stealing treats from overflowing baskets of fruit. The central scenes from the life of Christ come to life through meticulous execution as our silversmith has taken great care with the details: water trickles from John the Baptist's outstretched arm and voluminous curls of cloud frame Christ's Ascension. The later Book of Common Prayer the binding now contains is a testament to the binding's enduring appeal as a precious devotional object. Printed at the University Press for Peacock, Mansfield, and Britton, London unknown books