Silver filigree frame containing a book of Gospels, Valencia (Spain), 1865-1870.

Book of gospels, enclosed in an openwork silver filigree frame, over silver-gilt foil. The frame covers the front, back and spine of the book, but bars and hinges over the other sides prevent the book from being opened. The pattern on the front of the book is different from that on the back, and both have Christian symbols in the centre panel: a monstrance on one side, and an altar cross on the other. At the top of each side is a scroll of double-twisted wire. A figure-of-eight loop in heavy wire is hooked across these two scrolls, attached to a short length of chain, with stamped links, with a loop at its further end. There are two filigree bells attached to each side, and three bells of stamped silver hanging from the lower edge.

This delicate silver filigree frame encloses a book which is described as a copy of the Gospels. This is impossible to confirm, as the bars on the sides prevent its being opened. The importance of the book to its owner was as an amulet, not as something to be read. It was bought for the museum for two pounds in Valencia in 1870 by Senor Atienza, who described it as being worn by infants on the occasion of their baptism.

695-1870