Embroidered Binding.- Kegel (Philipp) Zwölff geistliche Andachten...

Embroidered Binding.- Kegel (Philipp) Zwölff geistliche Andachten..., text in German in black letter, title with woodcut vignette, ink annotations to front pastedown, title torn at lower margin with loss (cutting date and printer), small marginal worm hole to final few ff., scattered spotting and staining, hinges cracking, handsome near contemporary cloth over wooden boards, floral motifs embroidered in high relief with silver threads and coils over twisted thread cores, a few areas of wear to embroidery with loss to some threads, rubbed and bumped, gilt gauffered edges, 12mo (approx. 60 x 110 mm), Germany, n.d., sold as a binding, not subject to return. *** This binding is worked entirely in silver thread, with the decoration relying on variations in texture and the play of light rather than the contrast of coloured silks. The design appears to combine two decorative traditions: embroidered bookbindings, often worked in coloured silks, and the filigree metalwork popular in northern Europe. Such elaborate bindings were generally reserved for special volumes, particularly Bibles and prayer books, many of which were owned by women.

Estimate:£500

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