Beschreibung:

SILVER BINDING - VENICE. Early 18th-century Venetian sliver binding for a ducal commission, embossed in high relief and chased, on upper cover the figure of Venetia in royal garb and ermine cape, holding a sceptre in her right hand; she is seated on a throne placed on a chariot which is drawn through the waves by two seahorses, whose reins are held by the winged Lion of St. Mark, standing upright in front of the chariot, clutching in its right paw a drawn sword; on the lower cover the figure of Victory flying through the clouds while blowing a trumpet, her banner adorned with the Lion of St. Mark, in her left hand a laured wreath, her feet touching conquered Turkish weapons, such as cannon and cannon balls, swords, a helmet, a turban, and flags; broad silver turn-ins, engraved with interlacing drawer-handles and scrollwork on pointillé grounds, doublures of gold damask; three raised bands, on undecorated spine, in lower panel a round opening through which are appended two original tassels of gilt and red silk thread; two pierced clasps. Signed on both covers with maker's mark: the letters Z and T flanking a tower, and a second VP. (260 x 200 mm). In a fitted padded cloth case, on upper cover morocco label with the gilt arms of J.R. Abbey. A VENETIAN EARLY SETTECENTO SILVERSMITH BINDING OF CONSUMMATE ARTISTRY AND SPLENDOR, intended for a letter of credence or instruction by the doge of Venice for envoys sent abroad on embassies and other missions. Ducal commissions were, from early times, beautifully engrossed, illuminated, and increasingly lavishly bound in richly gilt leather bindings at the expense of the recipients of these "Dogali." Apart from two or three silver bindings created for this purpose exhibited in Venetian museums, Dr. Breslauer has never seen other specimens of this kind in public or private collections. Hayward 12, Silver Bindings from the J.R. Abbey Collection (reprinted with special title, from the "Connoisseur," Oct. 1952).