The Book of Common Prayer with Fore-edge Painting

5B Book of Common Prayer ca. 1900

Description

The Book of Common Prayer with a fore-edge painting is a unique and exquisite artifact combining religious devotion with artistic craftsmanship. The Book of Common Prayer, a foundational text for Anglican worship, contains prayers, liturgies, and psalms used in daily and ceremonial services. Fore-edge painting, a technique where a hidden illustration is applied to the edges of a book’s pages, often reveals a delicate scene when the pages are fanned out. These paintings, which can depict biblical stories, landscapes, or historical events, add an element of surprise and beauty to the sacred text, making such editions highly collectible and treasured by both religious and art enthusiasts.

Notes

White vellum binding with picture on front and fore-edge painting (last supper), bowing to the cover, beautiful colored illustration on front cover, intact, fine condition.