Obj. ID: 36247 Book Binding, Turkey, 1884
sub-set tree:
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
The bindings of Jewish books are generally quite simple, but there does exist a tradition, probably among the wealthier section of the population, of binding books in special and elegant ways utilizing a variety of material.
Silver book bindings are one of the most elegant objects of Jewish ritual art. The form is generally copied from Catholic and Orthodox Christian tradition where prayer books were often covered with silver bindings in keeping with the other elegant silver pieces used in the prayer service. As in many other areas of life, Jews emulated some customs from what they saw of their Christian neighbors. Since such a binding was an expensive purchase for an individual, such silver pieces are fairly rare. Their appearance is most widespread in Italy, but examples also exist from Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Austria, and even the Ottoman Empire.
Silver prayer book bindings are a rare occurrence in the Ottoman Empire. From the 19th century, only a few such silver covers are recorded in collections. This example appears to be from the Balkan area, with an inscription chased into both covers and the date chased into the spine. There was a very close cultural and economic relationship between Vienna and Istanbul with influences going in both directions. It is most likely that the Viennese tradition of fine silver bindings wound its way to Istanbul.
There is no book within this binding.
Inscription: Front Cover: To my son-in-law Moshe Ya'akov Hacohen, May the Lord sustain him and grant him favor, on the fifteenth day of the month Spine: Tishre in the year 5645 [1884] Back Cover: This book I have sent Benvenisti Moshe Hacohen, May the lord sustain him and grant him favor