ALBUM AMICORUM. CENTRAL EUROPE early 19th century. GERMAN. [ - Lot 149

ALBUM AMICORUM. CENTRAL EUROPE early 19th century. GERMAN. [An antique Russian green leather box with notebook]. 10.5 x 17 x 2 cm, decorated in imitation of a book (ca. in-12 format) from the first half of the 19th century. Green Russian leather, smooth spine decorated with gilt roulettes, chain links and floral symbol on a lattice background, boards decorated with a gilt floral garland framed with a geometric motif in the center such as a gilt chain surrounding a rhombus with stars in spandrels. Gilt title on spine "Gevidmet der Freundsch[aft]" (Dedicated to friendship), all in a modern black cardboard slipcase. A very charming, intimate object of the period. Contains a notebook of loose-leaf blank pages, gilt-edged, and a sheet of strong paper embroidered with a pretty floral composition - a lady's or young lady's work - starting from a heart, a symbol of piety or attachment (minor foxing). The front cover, covered with a speckled vat paper, features a tondo engraved vignette of "Paul et Virginie".