Magnificent Early 18th-century Silver Binding. Venice.
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Magnificent silver ...

Magnificent Early 18th-century Silver Binding. Venice.
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Magnificent silver bookbinding, adorning a book of prayers “Volume 1 of Machzor in Roman Jewish rite” printed in Venice, 1626.

This majestic binding features deep repoussé work and original cast clasps. The front and back covers are embossed and chased with scrollwork and floral designs, centered by a gilt-crown above a gilt cartouche depicting a lion (possibly a family crest, similar to the lion depicted in the Poa family’s famous crest). All the  gildings are original Italian and of very high quality. The spine is decorated with scrollwork and flowers as well.

The Machzor is for all year, including the Passover Haggadah, with several woodcuts in the Haggadah. The edges of the pages are gilt and decorated.

It is exceedingly rare to find a silver binding of this quality and in such condition from this period.

Marked several times both on the cover and on the clasps with the city of Venice's hallmark. See TARDY page 291. The maker's mark appears several times as well with the letter Z on the left and C on the right, and a tower-like symbol in between, alluding to the maker Zuanne Cottini who was a craftsman during the years 1712-1736.

See similar item in Guy Weinstein's book (p. 216, item #283) (although he writes 2 instead of Z on the mark, and dates it 17th century). The item pictured there is probably the second volume of this Machzor.

These costly artistic bindings reveal how deeply the “People of the Book” cherished their sacred texts and prayer books.

Condition: Good. The pages are cut close to the text, with two minor impacts on the text.

Size: Height: 16 cm high. Width: 12 cm wide.
Weight: 693 grams

Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection

Genazym takes this opportunity to thank Mr. William Gross from Tel Aviv for providing information about this item.

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