NASA Visible Earth [public domain]
The history of marbling unfolded across continents and across centuries. A thousand years ago this marvelous art started in the Far East, and it has been widely assumed that from there it spread westward across Central Asia and Europe. However, it may have developed independently in multiple regions. Wherever it was practiced, different styles and techniques developed, and each region where it flourished found both decorative and practical uses for the beautiful papers it produced.
In 10th century Japan, a style of marbling called Suminagashi emerged. The artist floated calligraphy inks on water, then blew or fanned them into designs. For four centuries, this elite art form was reserved for the sole use of members of the royal court.
In the 15th century, marbling spread across southern Asia, traveling westward across countries including Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Persia, Turkey and India. It was prized not only for its beauty, but also for preventing forgery: it was impossible to alter or counterfeit any document printed on these complex and unique designs.
In 10th century Japan, a style of marbling called Suminagashi emerged. The artist floated calligraphy inks on water, then blew or fanned them into designs. For four centuries, this elite art form was reserved for the sole use of members of the royal court.
In the 15th century, marbling spread across southern Asia, traveling westward across countries including Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Persia, Turkey and India. It was prized not only for its beauty, but also for preventing forgery: it was impossible to alter or counterfeit any document printed on these complex and unique designs.
Seventeenth century European bookbinders adopted marbling for book covers and end-papers, and also used it for the first time to decorate booksʼ edges. Marblingʼs secrets were well guarded by craft guilds, which prevented any single apprentice from learning the entire process.
However, in the second half of the 19th century, two separate European marbling masters published books that shared technical details of the process. This sudden availability of information made marbling much more popular, and also carried it to the United States.
However, in the second half of the 19th century, two separate European marbling masters published books that shared technical details of the process. This sudden availability of information made marbling much more popular, and also carried it to the United States.
Before long, marbling was widely available and became part of daily life in new ways. One example, a staple of childhood for more than a century, is the venerable marble covered school composition book, introduced in Europe in 1887.
Early 20th century advances in printing and publishing turned book binding into an industry, rather than an art. Demand for fine hand marbled paper all but disappeared, and marbling fell out of favor.
Several artisans revived the art in the 1960s and ͗ʼ70s, sparking renewed interest in it. Today, marbling artists pursue a wide range of styles on many materials, including paper, fabric, wood, and leather. The infinite variety of its patterns, and one-of-a-kind nature of each design, are still appreciated today and continue to attract new marbling enthusiasts.
Early 20th century advances in printing and publishing turned book binding into an industry, rather than an art. Demand for fine hand marbled paper all but disappeared, and marbling fell out of favor.
Several artisans revived the art in the 1960s and ͗ʼ70s, sparking renewed interest in it. Today, marbling artists pursue a wide range of styles on many materials, including paper, fabric, wood, and leather. The infinite variety of its patterns, and one-of-a-kind nature of each design, are still appreciated today and continue to attract new marbling enthusiasts.