Year-round Italian rite machzor, Part II. Venice: Bragadin Press, 1772.
Paper; wood and fabric; silver, cast, repoussé, sawed and engraved (marked with the monogram "MR" (?) enclosed in an oval-shaped frame).
Silver ornaments with vegetal patterns appear on both the front and back binding and on the spine, nailed to the wooden boards of the binding. A fabric cover, originally velvet in texture but now thoroughly worn, is wrapped around the binding, which is held closed with two decorative buckles. On both the front and back binding, in the middle, are cartouches surmounted by crowns with convex medallions in the center, bearing a two-part dedicatory (Hebrew) inscription: "R. Yosef David HaLevi" on the front, and "Stella Usiglio Leviah" on the back. Apparently, the prayer book was given as a gift to one of the two members of the couple on the occasion of their upcoming marriage.
In all likelihood, the name "Usiglio" pertains to a well-known family of merchants in 18th century Modena. This family, among other things, possessed a synagogue within the city; the Levi family was also an important family of merchants in Modena during that same period. Toward the end of the book, there are handwritten notations documenting the birth of a daughter in year 1842, and a son in 1846.

322 leaves, 16 cm. Binding in fair-good condition. Fabric worn and faded, minor fractures to silver ornaments and several pieces missing. Prayer book in good condition, with few stains. Endsheets from later period (19th century?).