Materials science and art technology as research at the Bavarian State Library - a special treat for every book cover collector.
For a passionate book cover collector, the sight of a magnificent medieval gemstone binding from a former church or private property is definitely one of the absolute highlights.
It is all the sadder for him or her when these beautiful and unique book covers are stored – mostly for conservational reasons – for many years, sometimes even decades, in dark and climate-protected vaults deep underground – far from the eyes of the public have to. Far too seldom are these outstanding works of art accessible to the general public.
The Bavarian State Library in Munich (“BSB”) has a stock of extremely high-quality magnificent bindings that is probably unique in the world. It is therefore all the more gratifying that the BSB has now extensively digitized its magnificent bindings with the help of modern media and thus not only the outstanding details of these book covers, but also makes the current status of their scientific research work available to the general public. A remarkable example of modern and innovative museum work.
So if you are interested in some of the most beautiful gemstone book covers in the world, be it the corresponding website of the Bavarian State Library hereby recommended. That Video stored there as the first “appetizer”. should literally make every book cover collector's mouth water.
Spoil your favorite book with a goldsmith's magnificent binding.
Are you a passionate collector of book covers and do you have a personal favorite book that you particularly appreciate and would therefore like to equip with a magnificent cover? Or are you, as a book lover, interested in an outstanding copy of a book for your private library? Are you perhaps looking for an unusual cover, for example for an exclusive guest book, your personal notebook or address book, for a Bible, for one of your valuable facsimile editions or perhaps as a unique gift?
We will make an individual magnificent book cover in the style of the Middle Ages for you according to your wishes. We either supplement an existing book binding for you with our magnificent book fittings, book clasps and, if desired, with a high-quality copy of an antique ivory relief, or even have a completely new book binding made of the finest book binding leather with original medieval book covers - from a particularly experienced master bookbinder make. Of course, we would also be happy to help you with the procurement of a suitable book.
We only use the finest materials: handmade filigree, real gemstones and pearls, hand-cut mountain crystals, cultured pearls, true-to-the-original gemstone settings and 24-carat fine gold plating. Bindings made of silver or gold-plated silver - even made entirely of pure gold - are of course also possible.
All magnificent bindings are 100 percent handmade - probably unique in the world - made by us exclusively for you!
We currently need about 3-4 months for the production of such a magnificent book cover, if the scope is roughly comparable to the following examples - also all from our studio:
When making our book binding replicas in the style of the medieval, ecclesiastical magnificent bindings, our primary goal is to come as close as possible to the flair and the charisma of the historical originals from that time. This applies not only to the overall effect of the objects, but also to all the essential details such as the binding leather used or the shape of the wooden covers for the book covers, the selection of gemstones and shapes as well as the pearls, the replica of the elaborate filigree, the most diverse gemstone settings true to the original, the attention to detail in any engravings and enamels to the patination of the copies of the ivory reliefs and the 24-carat fine gold plating. Therefore, our used gemstones are often individually made and hand-cut according to original templates.
Since in the Middle Ages mostly only candlelight or oil lamps were available as means of lighting, the use of the various stylistic elements and the entire surface design of the goldsmith's work was aimed at evoking as many reflections as possible on the book fittings, which were often fire-gilded in the past. For example, filigree ornaments made of pearl wire, elaborate arcade settings, additional gold balls and complex prong settings for the gemstones as well as a large number of other decorative elements were used.
Every single filigree or decorative ornament is made by us individually and by hand from self-made pearl wire, often true to the original with an additional gold bead and mounted on the magnificent fittings using old technology. And that up to 1000 times for a single book cover! The gemstone settings are all made individually and by hand according to original templates and their finish is largely adapted to the effect of historical fire gilding.
The replicas of the ivory reliefs are made using methods similar to those used by the major museums for their exhibits. This achieves an amazing closeness to the incomparable radiance of real ivory. We also pay special attention to the finish of the reliefs, ie patination. Not only the "traces of a thousand years" can be found here, but also the typical aging cracks of antique ivory.
All in all, the result is a magnificent binding that will certainly convince even experienced book cover collectors of our passion and our high commitment to the greatest possible attention to detail and the low price - measured against the considerable effort.
After your first Contacting us We will contact you immediately to coordinate your exact wishes and all other details. Perhaps we can – if possible and if you wish – even advise you personally and arrange an individual appointment at your place or in our studio.
At the end we then create a detailed offer covering all the details and phases involved in the production of an individual magnificent binding for your favorite book, including meaningful sketches, photos, exact delivery dates and suggestions for general communication and processing through to delivery.
So - and now we are really looking forward to it on your request…. 😉