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Culture Fashion History InCompany by Attire Club Magazine

Attire Club Mood Board: Embroidered Book Covers

When thinking of embroidery, most people think, of course, about models and patterns sewed onto clothing in order to embellish them. What many people don’t know is that in history, embroidery was used not just for clothing and textile accessories, but also for books.

The British Library Database of Bookbindings holds a superb collection embroidered book covers dating back to the 17th century, but also even to the 15th century.

These covers are amazing not just due to the great use of a technique that is usually associated with fashion (maybe today we would call that “mixed arts”), but also because of the great value that was placed on these book covers. Because the content of books was extremely important in those times, the objects themselves had to reflect this importance and thus amazing materials and the highest quality of craftsmanship were used. For example, we can see book covers made form velvet and embroidered with gold or silver strings – something that even for 21st century standards would be a rarity and an amazing work. Take some time to realize how hard it was to extract, process and use these materials back in the 16th or 17th centuries and you can already tell how precious these books really are.

 

17th century embroidered Canvas book, pictorial angel and floral motif with two red ribbons.
The Booke of Common Prayer
(London, 1611)

 

17th century embroidered satin book cover with silver threads.
Good Newes from Heaven.
(London, 1631)

 

17th century embroidered satin book with floral motif.
The Whole Booke of Psalmes (London, 1639)

 

17th century embroidered velvet book cover.
A Comfortable Treatise, for the reliefe of such as are afflicted in Conscience: revised the third time, … interlaced, and enlarged in many places.
(London, 1620)

 

17th century satin embroidered book cover with threads of colored silk ‘woven’ across upper and lower covers.
The Whole Booke of Psalmes (London, 1627)

 

Back cover of an embroidered satin book with bird motif and remnants of a pair of satin ties.
The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. [and] The Whole Booke of Davids Psalmes.
(London, 1640)

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

Attire Club Mood Board: Court details

P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you think of these book covers? Do you know other historical mixes of textiles with other fields? How do you think these books could be done today? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

 

 

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