Armorial Binding.

Rare original armorial binding in gold and silver thread bearing a coat of arms reminiscent of the Durazzo family of Venice. Small octavo, empty, white silk with pink silk pastedowns, the outer border decorated with floral repeating motives in silver and green foil leaves, and the escutcheon crowned by a pink hat with six tassels on either side designating the rank of Apostolic Prothonotary. This distinguishes the owner of the binding as member of the highest college of prelates in the Roman curia, and also marks him as honorary prelate to whom the pope conferred this specific title and its privileges. The escutcheon on the front panel is embroidered with a shield of three bands: the first depicting an aigle éployée couronnée or a heraldic eagle shown with wings spread and surmounted by a crown, the second an argent lion passant accompagné de trois coquilles or a heraldic lion with one paw raised on a silver background accompanied by three scallop shells, and the third a banté d’argent et d’azure or the background of a shield with diagonal stripes of silver and blue. The escutcheon on the rear panel is embroidered with a shield with a silver background and the initials CR. In very good condition. Accompanied by clippings regarding the meaning to the armorial shield and the Durazzo family laid in.