Machzor in decorated silver binding. [Rome, Italy, ca. 1790-1800].
Silver, pierced, repoussé, painted and engraved (Rome standard mark, in use ca. 1790-1800); gilt; paint; print on paper; cardboard and leather.
Elaborate silver binding, produced by a technique differing from that of most 18th-century Italian silver bindings. While most 18th-century Italian bindings are usually shaped in repoussé with thin sheets of silver, the present binding has the decorations pierced in thick silver plates, which are partially gilt (some colored green), and even the family coat of arms and owner's initials are made of sawed and gilt silver letters. The center of the binding – on front and back – features the coat of arms of the Rosselli family of Rome. The front binding also features the initials "A.P.P" and the back binding features the initials "E.P".
The book: Sephardic-rite machzor. Venice: Mordechai son of R. Shlomo Civita, Bragadin, [1772]. Parts III-IV only (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). 9[6] leaves; 208 leaves, 10 cm. Fair condition. Lacking leaves 188-189, 196-197. Many leaves detached. Wear, creases, minor tears and stains to margins. Original leatherbound cardboard pull-off case, with gilt decorations, inscribed Rosselli family coat of arms and initials on binding. Light wear and defects to case. Ownership inscription facing first title page, handwritten by member of Rosselli family.
Height of binding: 11 cm. Width: 6.5 cm. Thickness: 3.5 cm. Overall good condition. Clasps lacking. Silver decoration on spine, broken and detached (with old soldering repairs).
