Book Covers
Book Cover
mid nineteenth century (made)
mid nineteenth century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
These are two ivory book covers (front and back), made in Germany, probably in the middle of the nineteenth century. The book covers are representing Confession and Communion and attached to a book, 'Schoene Trostsprueche fuer die Aengstigen Gewissen, by M. Vitus Dieterich.' Veit Dietrich (1506-1549), the Lutheran theologian and writer.
A colophon on the last page gives the date and place of production (by the printer Johann Beck in Erfurt): Gedruckt zu Erffordt / durch Johann Beck / wonhafftig zum weissen Schwane unter den SChillern. Anno 1597.
Maskell stated confidently in 1872 that the covers 'are attached to the book for which they were made', a claim also repeated by Longhurst in 1929. The style of the panels does not equate to that of the last years of the sixteenth century and is instead clearly derived from South German models of about 1510-20, such as works by Peter Vischer the Younger and others in Nuremberg and Augsburg, as is the dress of the figures. It would appear that the panels were made in the nineteenth century to enhance the appearance and value of the book they now contain.
A colophon on the last page gives the date and place of production (by the printer Johann Beck in Erfurt): Gedruckt zu Erffordt / durch Johann Beck / wonhafftig zum weissen Schwane unter den SChillern. Anno 1597.
Maskell stated confidently in 1872 that the covers 'are attached to the book for which they were made', a claim also repeated by Longhurst in 1929. The style of the panels does not equate to that of the last years of the sixteenth century and is instead clearly derived from South German models of about 1510-20, such as works by Peter Vischer the Younger and others in Nuremberg and Augsburg, as is the dress of the figures. It would appear that the panels were made in the nineteenth century to enhance the appearance and value of the book they now contain.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Book Covers (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved elephant ivory |
| Brief description | Two book covers, ivory, attached to the book for which they were made; Germany, probably middle of the nineteenth century. |
| Physical description | Two book covers representing Confession and Communication. Attached to the book for which they were made, "Schoene Trostsprueche fuer die Aengstigen Gewissen" by M. Vitus Dieterich. The front cover shows the Communion, with a kneeling man in a fur-collared robe receiving the Host from a standing priest. The space is partitioned with a curtain and a crucifix can be seen behind the priest's shoulder. On the back cover is a man, also in a fur-collared robe, is shown in the act of Confession to a prelate seated on a grand throne. The ivory panels are glued to waste scraps of printed text bound in with the spine, and two hinged copper clasps with twisted fastenings are set into shallow recesses on the inside edges. The panels are in excellent condition. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Purchased from Webb in 1872, for £15. On loan to the Museum from 1867. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | These are two ivory book covers (front and back), made in Germany, probably in the middle of the nineteenth century. The book covers are representing Confession and Communion and attached to a book, 'Schoene Trostsprueche fuer die Aengstigen Gewissen, by M. Vitus Dieterich.' Veit Dietrich (1506-1549), the Lutheran theologian and writer. A colophon on the last page gives the date and place of production (by the printer Johann Beck in Erfurt): Gedruckt zu Erffordt / durch Johann Beck / wonhafftig zum weissen Schwane unter den SChillern. Anno 1597. Maskell stated confidently in 1872 that the covers 'are attached to the book for which they were made', a claim also repeated by Longhurst in 1929. The style of the panels does not equate to that of the last years of the sixteenth century and is instead clearly derived from South German models of about 1510-20, such as works by Peter Vischer the Younger and others in Nuremberg and Augsburg, as is the dress of the figures. It would appear that the panels were made in the nineteenth century to enhance the appearance and value of the book they now contain. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 8-1872 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 12, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
