Miniature Spanish-Language Siddur, in Elegant Binding – Amsterdam, 1663

Miniature Spanish-Language Siddur, in Elegant Binding – Amsterdam, 1663

Miniature volume in Spanish including a siddur and pocket calendar, both in Spanish, in a splendid binding with silver ornaments and buckles. Amsterdam, 17th century.
Libro de oraciones de mez y la orden de Hanukah, y Purim, dispuesto con toda curiozidad. Amsterdam: David de Crasto [i.e. Castro] Tartaz, 1663. Two pocket calendars for Hebrew years 5423-5431 [1662-1671] and 5431-5439 [1670-1679]. Spanish.
Both the siddur and pocket calendars are printed entirely in Spanish, and were specifically intended for Marranos (conversos) and other members of Amsterdam’s Spanish-Portuguese Jewish communities.
The binding is bordered in silver thread, with a frame marked by serrated and undulating patterns. The book is locked with a pair of silver hinges, with buckle-like silver clasps, above and below, bearing handsomely styled ornaments cut in a vegetal pattern, spanning the thickness of the block (unmarked). The spine is divided into four compartments by decorative lines in a pattern that matches the border frame.

Siddur: [13], 165 [i.e. 265], [1] leaves; calendars: [6], [6] leaves, 9.5 cm. Height of binding: 10 cm. Good condition. Gilt edges, with gauffered floral pattern.

Exhibition: Basel, Jewish Museum of Switzerland, JMS 1017.
Provenance:
1. Collection of Peter Castle (1922-2011), great-grandson of Solomon David Schloss; acquired prior to 1981.
2. Heirs of the above.