FR EN
1 / 3
an old book with a coat of arms on ita black and white image of a book titled encravingsan old book with a green cover sitting on top of a white surface
Premium Wannenes Art Auctions

86 - [BINDING] CORNARO (CORNER), family.
See original version (Italian)

Estimate €300 - €500
Sale commission
Description
[BINDING] CORNARO (CORNER), family. Venetian armorial binding bearing the arms of the Cornaro family and of the Kingdoms of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia. Venice, 16th century. An interesting Venetian heraldic binding bearing the composite arms of the Cornaro family, incorporating the dynastic insignia of the Lusignans and the royal titles of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia, which became part of the family’s heraldic tradition through Caterina Cornaro (1454–1510). Married in 1472 to James II of Lusignan and Queen of Cyprus, Caterina abdicated in 1489, ceding the kingdom to the Republic of Venice; the memory of her royal dignity nevertheless remained a prominent feature in the Cornaro family’s dynastic self-representation. The presence of these arms on the binding therefore suggests a commission from within the circle of this distinguished Venetian family. A possible connection with Cardinal Marco Cornaro (1482–1524), Caterina’s nephew, is particularly intriguing, although it cannot be established with certainty. Marco used the same composite emblem on several bindings from his library; however, the absence here of ecclesiastical insignia or further marks of provenance precludes a definite attribution to his personal collection. 16th-century binding (250 × 180 mm), the covers richly embossed in blind and gilt and centred with a large composite heraldic device painted in polychrome and highlighted in gold. The shield is quartered with the arms of Jerusalem, Lusignan, Armenia and Cyprus alongside the Cornaro arms, per pale or and azure (the polychrome decoration is rubbed and flaking in places, with some losses; there is minor wear and defects to the leather). (1)
See original version (Italian)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS
Auction location
Auction time 10/15/2026 at 2:45 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like