. The book, its history and development. on Prayer of 1632. Of German and Dutch workman-ship many metal bindings exist, andthey are of varied styles. All thesebindings have solid metal backs witlihinges along the sides, and usually asort of cap projecting over the head-band. Many of the later examples arenot good, but are made of bad metaland coarsely worked in repousse. Theworst of them are probably Dutch work. Some of the earlier German silver bindings are prettilyornamented with niello work, and others have filigree workover gilt metal, and the use of tortoiseshell with silver orgilt mounts
. The book, its history and development. on Prayer of 1632. Of German and Dutch workman-ship many metal bindings exist, andthey are of varied styles. All thesebindings have solid metal backs witlihinges along the sides, and usually asort of cap projecting over the head-band. Many of the later examples arenot good, but are made of bad metaland coarsely worked in repousse. Theworst of them are probably Dutch work. Some of the earlier German silver bindings are prettilyornamented with niello work, and others have filigree workover gilt metal, and the use of tortoiseshell with silver orgilt mounts is also found of Spanish, German, or Dutchworkmanship. I should say that the best guide to deter-mine to which of these countries the work belongs is totake the place of imprint as authoritative. The imprinton a printed book does not by any means always imjilythat a binding was made there, but in many doubtful casesit is undoubtedly of much value as to mere nationality;the style of the Ijinding itself should always be the first JI. Fig. 82. — Geiinaubinding in silverfilitiieo and niello. 162 THE BOOK: ITS HISTOEY AND DE^rELOPMENT consideration. Some Dutch bindings are made in basemetal, gilt, often with open work and engraving. Theyare neither good to look uj^on nor pleasant to handle. Italian bindings in metal are rare, and it is only in thecase of very small books that it was ever used. Themanner of this is usually fine filigree work over a giltgroundwork. There is one example in the Victoria andAlbert Museum, which is, however, more likely to be quitean exceptional production than one inany way representing a national tyj) is an exquisitely enamelled goldenbook cover, having on one side theGarden of Eden and on the other theFountain of Youth; it contains amissal, and is said to have been madefor Queen Henrietta Maria. In France a few silver bindings ofthe sixteenth century with enamelshave been made, but they are veryrare, and the enamels of the bassetaille style
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