The styles of ornamentation used on large books for James I. were
generally followed by his son, but often the outer borders are of a
broader and more decorative kind. An instance of this is found on the dark
morocco binding of Raderus's _Theological Biography_, printed at Munich in
1628, a large book with a broad decorative border, corner-pieces,
coat-of-arms, and semée of thistles, roses, and fleurs-de-lis. A small
book with coat-of-arms in the centre, within the Garter, crowned, and
bearing on each cover the legend "TIBI SOLI O REX CHARISSIME," is in the
Manuscript Department of the British Museum, on a collection of treatises
presented to the king. There is a handsome border round the book, the
ground of which is covered with a semée of crosses, and the letters C. R.
are on either side of the coat-of-arms. The book has two silver clasps, on
one of which is engraved the Scottish crest, and on the other three
crowns. The panels joining the clasps to the book are engraved with
emblematic figures.
A copy of _Hippocratis et Galeni opera_, Paris, 1639, in several volumes,
bears in the centre of each board the full royal coat-of-arms and
supporters, enclosed in an octagonal border, within a rectangle, in the
inner corners of which is a handsome stamp of floral sprays, and at the
outer corners the crowned monogram of King Charles and his wife Henrietta
Maria. They are large books, measuring 17 × 11 inches.
A very decorative little book is covered in red velvet, with silver
mounts. It is a copy of the New Testament, printed in London, 1643. On
each side, in the centre, are medallion portraits of the king and his
queen, in pierced and repoussé silver, within ornamental borders. On the
panels of the clasps are engraved figures emblematic of the elements, and
on the corner clasps emblematic figures of Charity, Justice, Hope,
Fortitude, Prudence, Patience, Faith, and Temperance.
Although embroidered books were largely produced during the reign of
Charles I., not many of them were made for himself. One exists in the
British Museum, on a manuscript of Montenay's _Emblemes Chrestiens_, which
is written by Esther Inglis, who was a calligraphist of great repute from
the time of Queen Elizabeth to that of Prince Charles. She is said to have
been nurse to Prince Henry; and it is probable that she worked the binding
of the manuscript. It is covered in crimson satin, and embroidered in gold
and silver cord with a few pearls. In the centre is the Prince of Wales'
feathers enclosed in a laurel wreath, and round it a very handsome border,
with arabesques at the inner corners.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account