Golden Eighteenth Century bible closure with allegorical figures

In the 17th, 18th and early 19th century it was not uncommon that church books had gold or silver mountings. Not only protestant but also catholic and even Jewish church books were richly decorated with gold or silver. It is only recently that various Dutch museums (and collectors) dive into this field and are working on a overview of this fenomenon.

The bible closure we have here is most likely made in Amsterdam at the end of the 18th Century. We can see in the book “Zondags zilver” (Dutch for “Sunday's silver”) by van Noordwijk a similar closure in silver. According to the author the silver mounting in his book is most likely made by Simon Woortman who worked in Amsterdam between 1789 and 1815.

The three allegoric figures are:
The woman standing with an open book and torch is Sapientia (wisdom).
The woman sitting with the mirror is Prudentia (circumspection)
The woman leaning against the column and pillar is Fortitudo (vigor)

Antique jewelry object group: miscellaneous

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Dutch origin.

Style: Georgian
(more info on styles)

Period: ca. 1790 (events and facts in 1790)

Source of inspiration: Christianity

Material: 18K yellow gold
(more info on precious metals)

Hallmarks: No trace, because the parts where the hallmarks were struck are vanished. Normally at the back of the two little parts there is a little piece of gold. It is between the front and this missing back part where the cover of the book is held. When people take of the mountings in a non-professional way, these (thin) back parts normally break off.
(more info on hallmarks)

Engravement: At the back of the large middle piece we find the initials A.C. V. B. Most probably they belong to the that time owner.

Condition: excellent condition
(more info on our condition scale)

Dimensions: total length 11.52 cm (4.54 inch)

Weight: 42.30 gram (27.20 dwt)

Reference Nº: 09190-0188

See also our:
pre victorian jewelry, christian jewelry, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November or December.


Additional information:
jewelry glossary - wall of fame - visit us in Antwerp - subscribe to our mailinglist.


What is antique jewelry? - What is estate jewelry? - What is vintage jewelry?