Silver binding for a machzor, decorated with the Ashkenazi-Tedeschi family coat of arms. [Presumably Rome, ca. 1850].

Silver, repoussé and engraved (unmarked; perhaps Rome, ca. 1850); print on paper; cardboard and leather.

Decorated silver binding, repoussé on both sides with identical symmetrical patterns, with decorations of leaves, flowers and a central cartouche topped by a crown. The cartouches prominently figure the family's coat of arms – a crouching lion with a seven-branched menorah on its back – the coat of arms of the Ashkenazi-Tedeschi family of Rome. This coat of arms also appears on an engraved stone tablet from 1621 (Jewish Museum of Rome, item 1727), and on an embroidered tablecloth from 1739-1740 (ibid., item 418). Matching pair of clasps; spine decorated to match, with flowers. Engraved initials "B.F" on lower margin of front binding.

Book: Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, according to the Sephardic rite of Constantinople and other locations, with prayers from the writings of the Arizal. Livorno: Shlomo Belforte and associate, 1850. Two parts in one volume.

Rosh Hashanah: 114 leaves. Yom Kippur: 192, [2] leaves. 17.5 cm. Gilt edges. Good condition. Stains, many stains to some leaves.

Silver binding: 18.5 cm, overall good condition, with light cracks near hinges; placed in original cardboard case with removable lid, 19 cm, coated in green leather and marbled paper, with gilt decorations; inscribed with initials "B.F".

For a similar binding, see: Jewish Museum of Rome, item 2469 (Consacrati al Signore, Argenti del Museo Ebraico di Roma, edited by Dora Liscia Bemporad and Davide Spagnoletto, Sillabe, Livorno, 2024, p. 278, No. XI.10; see also p. 70). For the family coat of arms, see: Elvio Giuditta, Araldica Ebraica in Italia. [Torino]: Società Italiana di Studi Araldici, 2007, p. 161.