An Embroidered Binding

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old Testament, and the New: Newly Translated out of the originall tongue: and with the former Translations diligently [c]ompared and revised, by his Majesties speciall commandement.
London: Bonham Norton and John Bill, 1619. (00516)

Bridwell Library’s earliest embroidered binding encloses this quarto King James Bible of 1619. Richly embroidered bindings gained considerable popularity in England during the early part of the seventeenth century, particularly on books intended for private worship. On this Bible, silver and gold threads stitched into the purple velvet create a rich floral design that echoes the gilt centerpiece and corner pieces commonly used on seventeenth-century leather bindings. The gilt metal catches for the fore-edge clasps feature pairs of joined hands — evidence that the binding likely was commissioned for presentation as a wedding gift.