After the Doge, the Procurators of San Marco were the most important officials of the Venetian Republic, and were elected for life. Antonio Mocenigo was a Procurator in the early sixteenth century. This manuscript contains his commissione, or list of duties. It carries at the front a depiction of Mocenigo receiving his charge from St Mark, the patron saint of Venice. This illumination may be by Benedetto Bordone (1460-1531), the leading Venetian miniaturist around 1500.

Binding information

A contemporary Venetian binding, with lozenge and cornerpieces in the arabesque style, with blue lozenge inlay to centre, within gilt fillet border frame. All arabesque pieces apart from centre are deep impressions, whereas centre appears to be a separate piece laid in. Inside boards also have blue central diamond shaped piece – perhaps the original colour? Traces of fore-edge ties. Book has been rebacked, with original covers pasted over boards. New spine, divided into five compartments, with fleur-de-lis to top and bottom, second reads ANTONIUS MOCENIGO, third LIBER DE COMISSARIIS VENETORUM, and fourth MS. MDXXII. All edges gilt.