There are treasures to befound inside many medieval manuscripts, frompointing handsto menageries ofmisshapen animalsand sword-wielding rabbits．但在罕见的情况下,实际的宝藏as well. Pearls, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and precious metals adorn the covers of a few luxurious texts, some of which are are currently on display at New York’sMorgan Library and Museum．

One particularly notable example on display is theLindau Gospels, dating to ninth-century France. The intricate metalwork on the back cover only hints at the extravagance of the front cover, which was made nearly a century later. Jewels line the edges and sit on raised clawed legs around a repoussé (metal worked on the reverse side to create an image in relief) figure of Christ. The elevation of the jewel clusters has a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one; it protects the rest of the cover when the book is open.

In the medieval period,monks usually producedbooks, but with treasure binding—as this practice is known—metalworkers were employed to emboss patterns of silver and gold and set precious stones. Either the very wealthy or the very pious (or both) commissioned the books, but in the case of theLindau Gospels, it’sunclearwho requested the lavish tome.

A handful of libraries around the world hold such books, but not many treasure-bound manuscripts have survived the centuries. The exhibition brings together the Morgan’s collection, and includes illustrations of jewels and gemstones from inside the manuscripts.

Magnificent Gems: Medieval Treasure Bindingsruns through January 7, 2018.Atlas Obscurahas a selection of images from the exhibition.