Siddur in binding with silver ornaments. [Probably Germany, first half of 18th century].

Silver, cast, pierced and repoussé (buckles bearing mark of eagle – probably German, from the 18th century – and maker’s mark: "HS"); print on paper; wood and leather.

Siddur in leather-coated wood binding. Binding boards adorned with silver ornaments (secured with rivets) with identical patterns on front and back. Adornments include: a large, symmetrical heart-shaped ornament at center, flanked on either side by a pair of heraldic, langued, rampant lions, and with vegetal patterns above and below; and four floral ornaments, each positioned halfway between each pair of floral/vegetal-patterned corner ornaments. Three plain, unpatterned silver belts, equally spaced, adorn the spine. Binding secured with matching pair of silver buckles with vegetal patterns.

The Siddur

The binding is fitted with a year-round siddur according to the Western Ashkenazic rite, with Yiddish translation. Includes Psalms and supplications, with separate title pages. Amsterdam: Solomon Ben Joseph Proops, 1730. This Siddur was designated for the use of women and was decorated with an engraved title page by Joannes Lamsvelt, depicting biblical heroines: Eve, Rebecca, Leah, Miriam, Deborah, and Hannah. At the bottom appears the Talmudic teaching: "In the merit of the righteous women, our Forefathers were redeemed from Egypt". Missing leaves 121-136 at end of volume, originally containing prayers of supplication, in a section also including its own title page.

[1], 279; 120 leaves. Without leaves 121-136, originally containing prayers of supplication. 18.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Wear. Tears, including open tears, many to first few leaves, affecting text, mended with paper (including title page). Several detached leaves. Leather and silver binding: 20 cm. Overall good condition. Tears to leather coating, mostly to edges and corners. Old fractures to buckles, mended with old soldering, showing signs of corrosion.