Hand Marbled Paper Sheet, Yellow Gloster

Marbling, which first appeared in Asia around the twelfth century and travelled to Europe through Persia and Turkey, only became prolific in Britain in the mid-nineteenth century. Unfortunately, like many precious and wonderful things, the industrial revolution put an end to a dynamic hand-bookbinding industry, and by extension the production of hand decorated papers. Today, marbling is the reserved territory of a few artisans. Around the world they are called upon by libraries and antiquarian book specialists to restore and preserve some of our most precious manuscripts from the past.

The patterns chosen and presented here are each completely unique and modern interpretations of popular Victorian patterns, made by leading European paper marblers, selected by Choosing Keeping for the particular originality and quality of their work.

This pattern, known as Zebra, can be dated to the late 19th century and usually features a more regular and closely combed background which is created before spots are added at the end. Modern marblers are often more experimental with their work (marbling traditionally being quite a rigid discipline with set patterns and techniques) as in this more fluid example. The final spots here also have the appearance of tiny holes - this is created by mixing a dispersant, such as turpentine, to the paint - making this an example of Gloster which is defined by the use of this technique over a combed base. 

Details
Print type: Hand marbled original work
Dimensions: 50 x 70cm

Sold as a single sheet - while the pattern will remain the same, each sheet is printed individually, so small variations in colour and pattern rhythm can occur and are an inherent part of the item sold.