Italian, Venice
Commissione of a member of the Fradello family (?), 1580-1582
Stamped leather with silver leaf and gold-toned varnish, and copper alloy clasps, 22.5 x 18.5 x 1 cm (8 7/8 x 7 5/16 x 3/8 in.)
Long Gallery
Commentary
Leather with sunk-panels of floral arabesques, fleurons, and leone in moleca, about 1580-2.
This lavish binding's almond-shaped central medallion, scalloped corner-pieces and arabesque pattern, imitate Islamic gilt-lacquered bookbindings, which came to Venice in large numbers through trade and war with the Ottoman Empire. They created a fashion in late sixteenth-century Venice for Ottoman-style decoration on a variety of luxury items, including commissioni, parade armor, wall-hangings, caskets, cabinets, and musical instruments. The coat of arms on the lower cover is possibly that of the Fradello family.
Source: Anne-Marie Eze, Illuminating the Serenissima: Books of the Republic of Venice, special exhibition on view in the museum's Long Gallery, May 3 through June 19, 2011.
This lavish binding's almond-shaped central medallion, scalloped corner-pieces and arabesque pattern, imitate Islamic gilt-lacquered bookbindings, which came to Venice in large numbers through trade and war with the Ottoman Empire. They created a fashion in late sixteenth-century Venice for Ottoman-style decoration on a variety of luxury items, including commissioni, parade armor, wall-hangings, caskets, cabinets, and musical instruments. The coat of arms on the lower cover is possibly that of the Fradello family.
Source: Anne-Marie Eze, Illuminating the Serenissima: Books of the Republic of Venice, special exhibition on view in the museum's Long Gallery, May 3 through June 19, 2011.