About This Design - by Paperblanks
Original Art: Back cover of the Lindau Gospels. Era: Between 750 and 800 A.D. Region: Near Salzburg, Austria
The Lindau Gospels’ binding was designed to inspire awe when the book was carried in processions or displayed on an altar. The back cover, in particular, stands out as a piece of bookmaking masterwork and we are honoured to reproduce it for our Lindau Gospels series. Tooled in gilt, silver and enamel and adorned with jewels, this ornate binding stands as a powerful manifestation of art as a vehicle for belief.
Crafted in a German workshop near Salzburg between 750 and 800 AD, this gold and jewelled binding now stands proudly in New York’s Morgan Library and is heralded as being one of the most important acquisitions of the collection. J.P. Morgan purchased the illuminated manuscript in 1901, and it was this exquisitely designed book that set a new direction for many subsequent additions to his collections.
The Lindau binding is an archetypical representation of early- to mid-9th-century book publishing, with the overall effort being focused more on ornamentation than on contents. During this time period, the majority of citizens would not have known how to read but would be drawn to the book cover as a metaphor for the information held within. Religious works, in particular, were given this treatment as the stories could easily be imparted to followers without a great deal of explanation.
Today, this binding continues to be admired as a gorgeous highlight from the medieval bookmaking era, whether or not the religious connotations are strongly felt. At Paperblanks we find inspiration everywhere, and we are pleased that this elaborately designed book from early history has become such a well-loved part of our selection.
