Heures Nouvelles Illustrées - Neo-gothic Binding With Gilt Silver Silverwork Decoration

Paris, L. Curmer, circa 1843-1844. 16mo (135 x 116 mm), [1] chromolithographed title leaf, 400 pp. and [8] plates. Period binding in black morocco with decorated spine, silverwork decoration in partially gilt silver: 4 corner pieces, plaque on upper cover, centerpiece on lower cover, and clasp. Gilt edges.

Illustrations: 3 chromolithographs (including title and 2 illuminated medieval manuscript pages) and 5 copper/steel engravings by Adrien Fréart, Ed. Smith after Cousin, P. Varin after A. Varin (1843), and Rouargue.

Exceptional silverwork decoration: without visible hallmark or signature, this neo-Gothic decoration in partially gilt silver is attributable to a great Parisian master silversmith of the period (Froment-Meurice, Rudolphi, Wagner, Morel, Wiese, Lepage…).

- Plaque (88 x 58 mm): rare iconography from the Book of Revelation, Christ knocking at the door (Revelation 3:20), extremely fine chasing
- Corner pieces (26 x 26 mm): cathedral motif with central flowering chalice
- Centerpiece (42 x 30 mm): initials PD in Gothic lettering
- Clasp: attachments (39 x 16 mm) with cathedral decoration; moving part (36 x 19 mm) with woman's bust in high relief and floral reverse

Unique copy.