French Paroissien Romain “Édition Bijou” Prayer Book in Ivory-Toned Binding with Silver Clasp
French Paroissien Romain “Édition Bijou” Prayer Book in Ivory-Toned Binding with Silver Clasp
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Compact French Catholic prayer book bound in an ivory-toned, rigid cover with softly rounded boards and a sculpted shield-shaped cartouche applied to the front cover, left intentionally blank for personalization or devotional symbolism. The book retains its original silver-toned metal clasp, hinged and decorated with scrolling foliate motifs, designed to protect the text block when carried.
The spine is gently rounded and wrapped, consistent with mid-19th-century French devotional bindings. Page edges are gilt, now mellowed to a warm honey tone with natural oxidation. The interior opens to an engraved title page printed within a red rule border reading Paroissien Romain, followed by engraved devotional scenes and prayers printed in Latin and French.
The title page states:
“PAROISSIEN ROMAIN… ÉDITION BIJOU”
Published in Paris by Ancienne Maison Morizot, Laplace, Sanchez et Cie, Libraires-Éditeurs, Rue Séguiér.
Illustrated engravings throughout depict biblical and devotional scenes, printed on fine paper, some with offsetting and ghosting typical of period inks. The scale, materials, and refined construction indicate this was intended as a personal devotional object, often gifted for First Communion or carried daily.
Compact French Catholic prayer book bound in an ivory-toned, rigid cover with softly rounded boards and a sculpted shield-shaped cartouche applied to the front cover, left intentionally blank for personalization or devotional symbolism. The book retains its original silver-toned metal clasp, hinged and decorated with scrolling foliate motifs, designed to protect the text block when carried.
The spine is gently rounded and wrapped, consistent with mid-19th-century French devotional bindings. Page edges are gilt, now mellowed to a warm honey tone with natural oxidation. The interior opens to an engraved title page printed within a red rule border reading Paroissien Romain, followed by engraved devotional scenes and prayers printed in Latin and French.
The title page states:
“PAROISSIEN ROMAIN… ÉDITION BIJOU”
Published in Paris by Ancienne Maison Morizot, Laplace, Sanchez et Cie, Libraires-Éditeurs, Rue Séguiér.
Illustrated engravings throughout depict biblical and devotional scenes, printed on fine paper, some with offsetting and ghosting typical of period inks. The scale, materials, and refined construction indicate this was intended as a personal devotional object, often gifted for First Communion or carried daily.
4"h x 3"w
4"h x 3"w
The Paroissien Romain was a standard Catholic prayer book used widely in France, containing the offices for Sundays and feast days, drawn from the Roman Missal and Breviary. “Édition bijou” editions were produced in smaller formats with elevated bindings—often ivory, mother-of-pearl, velvet, or celluloid—designed to be both devotional and personal luxury items.
Such books were commonly presented for important religious milestones such as First Communion, Confirmation, or as lifelong prayer companions. Parisian publishers like the Ancienne Maison Morizot catered to this market by offering refined, portable editions that blended faith, craftsmanship, and elegance.
The Paroissien Romain was a standard Catholic prayer book used widely in France, containing the offices for Sundays and feast days, drawn from the Roman Missal and Breviary. “Édition bijou” editions were produced in smaller formats with elevated bindings—often ivory, mother-of-pearl, velvet, or celluloid—designed to be both devotional and personal luxury items.
Such books were commonly presented for important religious milestones such as First Communion, Confirmation, or as lifelong prayer companions. Parisian publishers like the Ancienne Maison Morizot catered to this market by offering refined, portable editions that blended faith, craftsmanship, and elegance.
Mid–19th Century (circa 1850–1875)
Mid–19th Century (circa 1850–1875)
Rigid boards with ivory-toned covering
Applied decorative shield cartouche
Silver-toned metal clasp and hinge hardware
Gilt-edged paper
Engraved illustrations on paper
Printed text in Latin and French
Rigid boards with ivory-toned covering
Applied decorative shield cartouche
Silver-toned metal clasp and hinge hardware
Gilt-edged paper
Engraved illustrations on paper
Printed text in Latin and French
France (Paris)
France (Paris)
Surface wear and discoloration to the binding consistent with age and handling; Soft rubbing and patina to clasp and metal elements; Offset ghosting and toning to interior pages; Minor edge wear and rounding to boards; Binding remains intact; clasp functional; No personalization to cartouche observed
Surface wear and discoloration to the binding consistent with age and handling; Soft rubbing and patina to clasp and metal elements; Offset ghosting and toning to interior pages; Minor edge wear and rounding to boards; Binding remains intact; clasp functional; No personalization to cartouche observed