Magnificent 17th century Silver Binding. Venice,
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 from the 17th century in such condition.
Marked several times both on the cover and on the clasps with the city of Venice’s hallmark, compatible with the period of the book. See TARDY page 291. Another mark appears several times, with the letter Z on the left and C on the right, and a tower-like symbol in between, possibly the maker’s mark.
See similar item in Guy Weinstein’s book (p. 216, item #283) (although he writes 2 instead of Z on the mark). 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.
Provenance: Yechezkel Toporowitch Collection
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