Studio: international art (29.1903)

Vellucent Book-Bindings

Eastern colouring, and the binding
of this volume now being carried out
is of unusual interest, as showing how
beautifully adaptable the process has
proved itself to exigencies of a clearly
defined style like the Persian.

Mr. Chivers has also utilized his
method with great effect in the treat-
ment of illuminated addresses, some
specimens of which rank among the
most successful productions of his
house. He appears to favour for this
class of work the style and form of a
bound book, using his vellucent as a
means of covering and protecting
the address proper, and frequently re-
verting to the solid leather outer bind-
ing with an inlaid " Vellucent " panel
in the centre to contain coats-of-arms,
or other designs, amid a framework of
gold tooling.

In many cases these " Vellucent"
panels of varying shapes have been intro-
duced into tooled French levant and
repousst leather bindings, the effect of the
sparkling and jewel-like spot of colour
set in the deep rich tone of the leather
being very beautiful. Another good
effect that may be obtained is by con-

book presented to his designed by s. poole . . , . . ,

holiness the pope, bound in executed by cedric chivers junction or combination with small

levant morocco with inlays mosaics, or inlays of coloured leather, as

of "vellucent" .,, ,, .

in the Hernck here illustrated (page 174).

Vellucent-covered illuminated in scrip-
cent " panels with a leather binding. The subject, tions or excerpts from celebrated authors, alike
the greater part of which occupies the upper and for the haunts of students, for libraries, reading-
larger panel, depicts the muse of Herrick in golden rooms and the cosy corner, form a most appro-
yellow robes, surrounded by a swarm of singing priate and beautiful means of decoration,
blue-birds, with a background of blue sky and Fortunately, Mr. Chivers intends to keep this
spring blossoms. The smaller panel below en- outlet for artistic ingenuity open solely to original
closes the bare feet of the figure standing upon work, thus preserving it from the degradation which
green turf amid crocuses and the floating hem of it would certainly suffer at the hands of the cheap
her garments. The two panels are connected by colour-printer, so that each binding issued in this
the framework of gold tooling; and tooled inlays form will possess the additional artistic value of
of red leather, representing conventional flowers an autograph work of the designer. It is difficult
and fruit, are decoratively placed here and indeed not to become enthusiastic over the idea of
there. the gorgeous aspect of a wealthy booklover's library
There is also in hand a sumptuously illuminated of " Vellucent "-bound books, which may become at
copy of the quatrains of Omar Khayyam with the same time a cabinet of works of art, each one
borders executed throughout in the Persian style, of his choice and rare volumes bearing an unique
with great feeling and understanding, by Mr. Samuel specimen of the book decorator's skill, and embel-
Poole, the chief designer on the Portway staff, lished with the most varied and brilliant effects,
wherein the aitist has proved his power to make To conclude, one is warranted in prophesying
full use of the beautiful materials at his disposal. for Mr. Chivers's invention, without fear of contra-
The result so far has been a revelation of gorgeous diction, a widespread and deserved approbation.

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