Antique Brocaded Bible/Document Cover, Bolivia (2036A-MAE) $185

$185.00

H: 10.5″  W: 10.5″ D: 0.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

Hand made in a folder style, this Bolivian religious document holder possibly used for priests’ sermons or other important  documents, is decorated on each side with brocaded purple fabric with gold thread. The finely brocaded stylized and symbolic passion flower designs are framed by geometric and curved gold borders and the inside and ends are lined in red fabric.  Our images do not do it justice as they cannot capture light flickers from the interwoven gold threads and vibrant gold floral patterns.

Description

This antique brocaded bible or document holder from Bolivia is decorated with symbolic stylized flowers widely used in Christianity: passion flowers and roses. Nicolas Monardes, a 16th century Spanish doctor was one of the first Europeans to see a passion flower which is native to South America, who found 22 species and brought them back to Spain. The flower’s many parts became a symbol to explain aspects of Christ’s crucifixion: its tendrils symbolize his whiplash marks; its center column represents the whip the Romans used; its 72 filaments symbolize his crown of thorns, and other parts of the flower signify the 3 nails used and Jesus’s five wounds. White and red roses represent prayer rosaries as well as Jesus’ purity and his blood respectively. As Jesus alluded to the beauty of flowers in his famous Sermon on the Mount and flowers are everywhere in the world and easily understood, they have become common iconic representations. This is part of the VA Collection of Christian-Art.

Additional information

Weight 1 lbs
Dimensions 12 × 6 × 6 in
Place of Origin

The Americas

Period

Antique (1200-1920)

Date

18-19th Century

Materials and Technique

Cloth

Dimensions (inches)

Ht: 10.5” W: 10.5” D: 0.5”

Dimensions (metric)

Ht: 26.67cm W: 26.67cm D: 1.27cm

Weight

1 lb

Condition

Good condition, see description

Item Number

2036A-MAE

Shipping Box Size