Created in 2008 in our studio the preliminary high point and the highlight of our previous gemstone book covers: A beautiful binding in the style of the High Middle Ages with 180 cultured pearls and 76 real gemstones.
There was no exact historical model for this book cover. However, all the details, such as the shape of the filigree or the shape of the gem settings, were borrowed from actually existing medieval book bindings.
Around 14 months of work, museum and literature research and the search for suppliers have gone into the cover. Approximately 1.000 filigree loops with 1.000 gold balls and over 120 gemstone and pearl settings on 14 book fittings (including the clasps) had to be made individually, assembled and then plated in 23,75 ct (carat) gold.
All pearls (cultured pearls) and 68 of the 76 gemstones are genuine (rubies and sapphires of simple quality, tourmalines, chrome diopsides, aquamarines, iolites, citrines, tiger's eyes, amethysts, phrenites, moonstones, smoky quartz, rock crystals, carnelian and many more). There are only 8 syntheses: the 4 large red corner stones and 2 smaller red stones in the binding as well as the 2 red stones in the book clasps are synthetic rubies - i.e. corundum.
The book block also received an all-round gold edge, which was then patinated again, i.e. artificially aged.
The two identical "ivory panels" in the middle of the front cover and in the back cover were created in the same way as the professional museum copies: from a special synthetic resin with mineral pigments and a final patination (artificial aging).
The "ivory tablets" represent the 12 apostles. The design of the book cover picks up on the theme of the reliefs: there are 12 book fittings, 6 each with a red stone and 6 with a rock crystal. The two central apostles in the upper row (Peter and Paul) are also reflected in the two large, hand-cut rock crystals at the top and bottom of the cover.
Our effort has definitely paid off: This magnificent binding is the current highlight of our gemstone book bindings and has been used several times in the meantime to European museums borrowed for special exhibitions.
A wonderful reward for our significant commitment to a very special book cover.
