Customarily, when we build clamshells, they are for books. However, this enclosure was built for an item that used to be a plate binding. The electroplate arrived in a wooden frame on top of blue velvet. The plate was nailed into the velvet backing with silver nails. We considered removing the plate from the frame but were concerned that we could damage the silver and bend it if we tried to remove the nails. So, we chose to build a clamshell around the frame!

This binding was created by M. Lilian Simpson at the Art Union in London in 1896. The binding is made of silver and depicts winged angels in the corners. The center image depicts the figure of Love. (View the catalog record for this item)