States Bible (c. 1800) - Dutch Silver Mountings 833 - Amsterdam

Exceptional Dutch Statenbijbel from circa 1799–1803, bound in an old leather binding and featuring richly decorated 19th-century Dutch silver fittings.

The Bible contains the classic Statenvertaling and was published in Amsterdam by N.T. Gravius, J. Brandt, P. den Hengst and the widow F.G. Onder de Linden. Although it lacks a printed publication year, this combination of publishers can be bibliographically placed around the turn of the 18th to the 19th century. The book includes, among other things, the Amsterdam ecclesiastical approval of February 23, 1797.

The extensive silver book fittings are particularly noteworthy. The Dutch hallmark of a walking lion with the number 2 has been found on the fittings, belonging to second-grade silver of approximately 833/1000. Both covers are fitted with large decorative fittings featuring floral motifs and rosettes, connected by a wide hinged clasp. The original mechanism is still functional.

On the inside of the clasp is a hand-engraved inscription with initials and the year 1856. The silver fittings are therefore later than the Bible itself and form an interesting second historical layer in the history of the book.

Several full-page biblical engravings are scattered throughout the book. Visible among them are the flight into Egypt, the treasure in the field, the Last Judgment and the Last Supper. The New Testament also opens with a richly engraved architectural title page.

The combination of the over two centuries old Statenvertaling, the illustrations, old leather binding and the extensive Dutch silver fittings makes this a particularly attractive example of a personal Bible that was used and adapted over several generations.

Details:

• Title: Biblia / Statenbijbel
• Translation: Statenvertaling
• Publishers: N.T. Gravius, J. Brandt, P. den Hengst and widow F.G. Onder de Linden
• Place of publication: Amsterdam
• Bible date: ca. 1799–1803
• Language: Dutch
• Religion: Protestant / Reformed
• Contents: Old and New Testament with ecclesiastical additions
• Illustrations: several full-page biblical engravings and engraved title page
• Binding: leather over rigid boards
• Fittings: Dutch silver
• Silver content: second grade, ca. 833/1000
• Silver hallmark: walking lion with number 2
• Fittings decoration: floral ornaments and rosettes
• Clasp: wide hinged silver book clasp
• Mechanism: functional
• Inscription: old hand engraving with initials and presumably the year 1856
• Dimensions: ca. 14.2 × 9 cm
• Thickness: ca. 6.3 cm
• Origin: Netherlands
• Bible period: late 18th / early 19th century
• Fittings period: 19th century, probably mid-19th century
• Classification: antique

Condition:
Antiquarian condition with clear signs of age and use. The leather binding shows wear, discoloration and damage along the edges and corners. The text block is heavily discolored and several page edges show wear, small tears and creases. One loose leaf was found. The photographed engravings and title page are clearly recognizable and have been attractively preserved. The silver fittings have a natural patina, signs of use and local traces of old repair or soldering. The clasp is still functional. The book appears largely complete in terms of content, but full bibliographic completeness of all leaves and illustrations cannot be guaranteed.