Engraved book binding mount

Art Historical Context

This exquisite engraved copper book binding mount, crafted in Venice around 1470, exemplifies the Renaissance mastery of Italian metalwork. Measuring just 10 cm long and 8.3 cm wide, it once adorned the cover of a prized book, serving both as a protective element and a showcase of opulent decoration. Housed in the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this small artifact highlights Venice's status as a thriving maritime republic and center of artistic innovation during the late 15th century. Venice's workshops were renowned for producing finely wrought metal objects, fue...