Library — 1577-1600; 16th century

The Bible that is, the Holy Scriptvres conteined in the Olde and Newe Testament.

This bible in an intricately embroidered cover is said to be associated with Queen Elizabeth I. It was printed by Christopher Barker of Paternoster Row in 1577, has the title page of another edition inserted, and is bound with a 1576 book of psalms. The Bodleian Library holds a similiar covered bible, which was presented by Barker to Queen Elizabeth on New Year's Day in 1584 (Bodleian Library Douce / Bib. Eng. 1583 b.1).

The bible's cover consists of card recovered with reddish-brown velvet on which is mounted an older, possibly the original binding of red velvet. This is embroidered with silver-gilt thread and silver purl, strip, spangles and dome-shaped ornaments, as well as silk in laid and couched work, partially padded. The edges of the pages are stamped with a border pattern of interlaced ribbons enclosing flower heads. The front and back covers are decorated with a formal Renaissance interlace of Tudor roses, strawberries and exotic flowers within a narrow border of interlaced, angular S-shapes terminating in leaves and flowers. The spine is divided into six horizontal bands which contain two alternating patterns of tightly-scrolling interlaced floral stems each with a central vertical flowerhead.

The bookplate stuck inside the front cover inidcates that the bible was part of the library of Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1773-1843), a well-known bibliophile who ammassed a large library in his home at Kensington Palace. Afther the Duke's death, his books were sold at auction.

According to a manuscript note inserted at the end of the book, apparently written by the Duke of Sussex, "This Bible was in the possession of the late Dutchess of Portland, at her Death it was sold and came into my hands, the covers being worked by Queen Elizabeth's own hand, whose real Bible it was".

Margaret Cavendish Bentinck, Duchess of Portland (1715-1784) was a great collector, particularly of natural history objects but also items such as a Roman vase now known as the Portland Vase in the British Museum. Her collection was sold in 1786 at an auction spanning 38 days.

Above the book plate is a strip of paper inscribed "From the Duchess of Portland's Museum, described in Struts Antiquities, Vol. 2, page 89". On a blank page before the title page are the inscriptions: "Wm. Yates Sherring, with Dear Papa's best love, June 2nd 1858." "Now his sister's Clara M. Testrail." "Given Alfred Bond Testrail by his wife Clara M. Testrail 1885".

Category:
Library
Object ID:
47.66
Object name:
The Bible that is, the Holy Scriptvres conteined in the Olde and Newe Testament.
Object type:

book, Bible, cover, embroidered

Artist/Maker:
Barker, Christopher
Related people:

Tudor, Elizabeth I

Related events:

Related places:

Sign of the Tiger's head, Paternoster Row, City of London

Production date:
1577-1600; 16th century
Material:

silk, metal, paper, leather, linen

Measurements/duration:
H 278 mm, W 197 mm, D 67 mm (closed) (overall)
Part of:
—
On display:
—
Record quality:
60%
Part of this object:
—
Owner Status & Credit:

Permanent collection

Copyright holder:

digital image © London Museum

Image credit:
—
Creative commons usage:
CC BY-NC 4.0
License this image:

To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.

Tags

Library Tudor Elizabethan Publishing & Media Trades & Workers Religion & Beliefs