An English delftware hand warmer, circa 1680-1700
Probably London, modelled in the form of a book, the spine with four horizontal straps in high relief, the boards outlined around the edge in a similar manner and secured by two delicate fasteners, painted in blue on both sides to simulate tooling with formal floral and foliate motifs, the spine with simple florets, 14cm high
注脚
The raised straps around the edge of the boards are most unusual, not being found on real books of the period. A related example also with raised ribs around the edges of the boards is illustrated by Leslie B Grigsby, The Longridge Collection (2000), fig.D394. English delftware books differ in construction, some with an open section at one end and others entirely enclosed save for a small hole.