Treasure
Treasure bindings incorporate precious materials such as gems, gold or silver metalwork, ivory, tortoiseshell, or enamel. They were most commonly found on highly prized religious works designed for use in church services or by wealthy individuals rather than for study in a library. Because of the value of the materials used in treasure bindings, relatively few early examples have survived, as they were taken apart and the precious elements were sold or reused.
Furniture is the collective term for protective metal pieces including clasps, bosses, and corner-pieces. These pieces help protect the book by holding the book closed tightly, keeping the covers from rubbing against other surfaces, and shielding the corners from becoming dented.
Metalworkers, rather than book binders, would be responsible for crafting metal bindings, cast in solid metal or created in filigree over another covering, such as velvet. Filigree refers to small pieces of metal soldered together to create intricate patterns similar to lace.
Books with gemstones attached to the covers appeared as early as Late Antiquity and became less used by the late Middle Ages. Sangorski and Sutcliffe, established in London in 1901, revived jeweled bindings and were known for using precious gems and real gold.
A jar of honey from Mount Hybla
This binding is as highly decorated as possible, with jewels on both covers, but also on both doublures. Gemstones include amethyst, emerald, mother of pearl, ruby, and garnet. To further the decoration, a hidden painting was added to the fore-edge.