An Italian Silver Book Binding, Venice, late 18th century, with mark of Assay Master Zuan Piero Grappiglia

Both front and back cover embossed and chased in high relief with crowned cartouches draped with fruit and flowers, the front with two hands raised for the priestly benediction surmounted by a crown, the back with a coat of arms consisting of a lion surmounting a tower and holding a flag—perhaps that of either the Obadiah or the Volterra family—the spine chased with scrolls and foliage centered by a flowerhead, openwork clasps, fitted with a year-round Hebrew prayerbook (Venice: Bragadini, 1749), page edges gilt, marbleized end papers, the front and back each marked twice with Venice mark and once with assay master (Piero Pazzi, vol. 1, n. 481), the spine with Venice mark and assay master.

Length: 7 1/4 in.; 18.5 cm.

Condition of silver: a little silver solder showing along hinges, possibly original, also at angles inside, chasing still crisp and marks clear.