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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: capone1066 on September 22, 2013, 08:40:34 AM
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Hi, after a recent clear-out I found the following item at the bottom of a box of old cutlery.
I believe it to be an Indian, ebony carved book cover with bone inlay from the 19th century.
Would anyone here have any idea as to what its value may be?
(http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_3.jpg)
(http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_4.jpg)
(http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_1.jpg)
Any help greatly appreciated.
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Somehow the pattern doesn`t strike me as typically Indian,,,but not my area either !! Its nice whatever it is !!
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Can i see the other side ? It's looks wonderful
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Here is the other side as requested...
The 4 screws holding the cover on appear to be missing although the hinges and mounting points are working and intact.
(http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_6.jpg)
Would have been great to see this complete with whatever contents inside.
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Is that all inlay? It reminds of boxes they sell in Morocco.
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All inlaid, could really do with a clean.
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Careful about that because it could loosen some of the pieces.
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Can i have a close up of the spine interior ?
I'm thinking not books, but parchments, drawing paper.
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Hi Ipcress, below are some close-ups of the interior spine:
(http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_7.jpg)
(http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_8.jpg)
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The detail/clarity of the insides of the book cover are so clear. Just can't tell much from the outer cover pics. I would have to say if it was me I would need a hands on on this one.
Looks really nice!!! Doesn't look Indian to me!
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Somehow the pattern doesn`t strike me as typically Indian,,,but not my area either !! Its nice whatever it is !!
We seem to be on the same page KC !! If you have time go and look at the Chinese tapestry Icedgold is asking about !! I think it says "How to date" on the title !! More your area than mine !!
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Could we see a straight on shot of just the center panel of the cover? Appears to be some sort of 'temple' or buildings.....might help in narrowing down the culture.
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I personally think this might be Indian. Not a book cover as we know it, but for something that's tipped in, not bound. Parchment, a few leaves of drawing paper. There's little room for a tomb of any description
My auction estimate would be a classic £80-120, with the likelihood of it fetching top end +
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Hi sapphire...
(http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_9.jpg)
Click Here for Larger Image (http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_9.jpg)
(http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_10.jpg)
Click Here for Larger Image (http://midasproductions.com/forsale/external_images/antique_book_10.jpg)
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When "books" were originally made, they were not bound. They didn't even have covers. Then, covers came about that were paper, then became more and more elaborate (a very influential thing to have books AND covers.) Do believe that this was a later piece due to the construction.
That is why so many books have been thrown away over the years. People find a box with unbound pages in it and think it was a book that fell apart or just useless papers. If only people were more knowledgeable on this! (My mom was a reading specialist so I was exposed to this history and thinking...)
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Books have been bound for hundreds of years.
Not sure what you're saying here, KC.
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LOLOL I agree...sounds rantful. Stopped short.
Typical 1700's were bound this way
(http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/6/0/6/0/8/webimg/465425880_tp.jpg)
In 1800's, typical books were bound with book board, leather, cloths (starched) and wood/leather.
I would venture to try and figure out the hinges on this one to help determine the age/origin.
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I'd say anywhere from 100 to 130 years old. Old Empire.
In the 1700's a full calf binding would have been generally different to your image. The spine bound very differently. Quarto more common back then, whereas octavo is the thing nowadays.
Later, the leaves were folded into groups and stuck, with the now more common cloth spines being detached / separate from the contents.
Incidentally, most of Byrons first editions had soft covers. Poor quality paper stock, too.
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I appreciate all the help with this, thanks.