JUAN CARAMUEL LOBKOWITZ (1606-82)
Philippus prudens Caroli V Imp. filius Lusitaniae, Algarbiae, Indiae, Brasiliae legitimus rex demonstratus
1639RCIN 1081276
Gold tooling on leather is thought to be an Islamic invention with the earliest surviving examples dating from the thirteenth century. This is one of the finest decorative bindings believed to have been in the collection of Charles I (r.1625–49), and it bears his royal coat of arms on the front and back cover. The remainder of the binding is covered in repeated patterns of fleurs-de-lys and small flowers.