Final answer:
A tome bound in leather with gilt edges is accurately described as a leather-bound tome, reflecting the materials, artistry, and historical significance of such an artifact.
Step-by-step explanation:
A tome, bound in leather with gilt edges, is best described as a leather-bound tome. This terminology accurately reflects the high-quality materials and craftsmanship involved in creating such a book. The tome in question, written on vellum with insular majuscule script and having its edges gilded, fits the historical context of luxurious manuscripts created during the medieval times. These objects were elaborate works of art and religious devotion, involving immense dedication from the makers. The manuscripts often featured rich decorations, gold ink, and sometimes were adorned with jewels, like the bejeweled book covers of Ottonian metalwork. These attributes are consistent with the qualities of a leather-bound tome that carries both artistic and functional value, signaling the wealth and status of its owner, and often serving a practical purpose in religious and scholarly contexts.