We have categorized this as a painting as it is one of the rarer antique hand tooled leather bible covers we have encountered with a hand painted/stained portrait - this after Melozzo da Forli's fresco  'Angel Playing Lute' from the Basilica dei Santi Apostoli and part of the Vatican collection.  This will look great framed in a shadow box - we suspect the deliberate aging/cracks were done to resemble the fresco.  We place this circa 1890 - 1900 - certainly Art Nouveau motif.  The interior of the piece is in excellent condition and the original woven paper for documenting records is still in place. The back cover has an embroidered patch affixed - perhaps a family crest.  The piece (closed) measures 15 1/2" x 11 3/4". Please read condition report and see photos for additional details. 

About Buttercup Antiques…

Buttercup Antiques is located in the St. Francois Mountains of Missouri. We specialize in unique vintage items, antiques and art. We are Ph.D. educators and, as a part-time endeavor, enjoy researching our items before putting them on the market. We have a variety of backgrounds ranging from history of art to marketing trends. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have!

About Buttercup…

Buttercup is our beloved 11 year old black lab. Her photo can be found on our store site. She is the light of our life and thoroughly enjoys sniffing our finds for any questionable scents. If you happen to find a rogue black lab hair on your item - we promise she is toxic free. This is just her little way of sharing the love!

Please take a look at some of our other listings!  Also, be sure to follow Buttercup on Pinterest and Twitter to find out what she is up to and get recent listing updates.  

Shipping and Return Policy

Buttercup’s Antiques is a green shipper, meaning we will reuse shipping materials whenever possible without compromising the stated condition of the item.  If you would prefer new shipping materials be used, this may impact shipping price, but we will be happy to accommodate your request.  Just make sure to email us within the five-day handling period after your purchase is processed.  

Since many of our items are unique and fragile, we will only accept returns if the item is damaged during the shipping process and we are notified within 24 hours of item delivery.