FORGERY. - [Icilio Federico JONI. A pair of book covers in the Renaissance style, or 'Tavolette di Biccherna'. N.p.: circa late 19th century, early 20th.] Italian giltwood and tempera, one panel with scrolling foliage surrounding seven Sienese shields, a Latin inscription dated '1475', the other with matching foliage around a courtly male figure holding a feather and a shield, joined with a leather binding, steel mounts, glazed in a giltwood frame. Note: by the year 1459 the Commune of Siena had begun binding their accounts in leather, so Joni's dated inscription of '1475' reveals his deception. In selling these as original Renaissance book covers, Joni also failed to recreate contemporary stitching. Nevertheless, he enjoyed some celebrity when he was unmasked, and continued to receive commissions for his bindings. Provenance: J.P. Hartley, writer (mounted paper label to verso).