English Embroidered Bookbindings eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 110 pages of information about English Embroidered Bookbindings.

English Embroidered Bookbindings eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 110 pages of information about English Embroidered Bookbindings.

This is bound in canvas, and measures 3-1/4 by 2 inches, each side having the same design embroidered on each of the ornamented sides and backs.  The flowers and leaves are worked in long straight stitches in coloured silks, outlined with silver twist.  A large pansy plant occupies the place of honour, growing out of a small green mound, from which also spring two short plants with five-petalled yellow flowers.  The main stems and ribs of the leaves are made with strong silver twist.  Round about the central spray are several coloured buds.  On the backs are four panels, each containing a small four-petalled flower.  The ground is worked all over with silver thread irregularly stitched, and the edges are bound with a broad silver thread.  There was originally one ribbon to twist round both books and keep them together, but it is now quite gone.  The edges are gilt, gauffred, and slightly coloured.

[Illustration:  7—­Psalms and Common Praier.  London, 1606.]

[Illustration:  8—­Bible, etc.  London, 1612.]

Bible, etc. London, 1612.

A copy of the Bible, with the Psalms, printed in London in 1612, and measuring 6-3/4 by 4-1/4 inches, is bound in fine canvas, and bears upon it designs embroidered in coloured silks in tapestry-stitch.

On the upper side is King Solomon seated in an elaborate throne on a dais, all outlined with gold cord.  He wears a golden crown and a dress which more nearly approaches the style worn at the date of the production of the book than that which was probably worn by Solomon himself.  Before the King kneels a figure, no doubt intended for the Queen of Sheba, in a red and orange robe of a curious fashion.  She holds out two white and red roses to the King, who bends to take them.  The ground is patterned in green and blue diamonds.  The distant landscape shows a castle with turrets, trees, a tower, a house, and a sun with rays.  The groundwork on both sides and the back is worked in silver thread.

The lower side has in the centre Jacob wrestling with the angel.  Jacob has a beard and a blue cloak; his staff lies on the ground.  The angel wears a red flowing robe, and his wings are many-coloured, and enriched with various threads and spirals of gold.  The landscape is elaborate.  In the foreground is a river with a bridge of planks, a gabled cottage, hospitably smoking from its chimneys, a red lily, and a tree.  In the middle distance is a castle with tower and flag, and on the horizon are a windmill, a castle with two towers, and some trees, above all a red cloud.  The back is divided into six panels, on each of which is a different design in coloured silks.  These designs are small, and although they are in perfectly good condition, the subjects represented are doubtful.  The upper and lower panels seem to represent only castles with towers.  Then apparently come Jonah and the whale, the creation, the temple, and the deluge with the ark, but it is quite possible that other interpretations might be made.  There are remains of two red silk ties on the front edges of each board, and the edges of the leaves are gilded simply.

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English Embroidered Bookbindings from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.