An Italian Silver Book Binding, circa 1870

An elaborate nineteenth century silver binding with the images of the Two Tablets of The Law surmounted by a crown on the front and a seven-branched  menorah on the back, both motifs surrounded by decorative scrollwork and floral elements; spine worked in silver acanthus leaves.  Fitted with Selihah ke-Minhag  kahal kadosh Ashkenazim she-be-Italia (Penitential Prayers for the Ashkenazic Jewish community of Italy) Venice: Bragadin, 1712. Silver bindings of this quality from the period are quite rare.