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These are icon cases, known as ‘kiots’, which were created in an era when religion and church paraphernalia were outlawed.

The Bodleian Libraries’ website states that the purchase of the book coffer was made “with support from Art Fund, the Bodleian's Kenneth Rose Fund and the Friends of the Bodleian.” Unfortunately, nothing else is mentioned; for instance, how the book coffer ended up in that auction in the first place. There is no doubt, however, that this book coffer is a rare item indeed, as only about 100 of them are known to be in existence. By comparison, thousands of manuscripts, and printed books from Medieval Europe have survived. Interestingly, the Bodleian Libraries, or at least its predecesso...