lacquered bindings
A method of decorating bookbindings by means of
scenes painted and then covered with lacquer. The
technique was probably a Persian (Near Eastern)
invention of the second quarter of the 16th
century, and while they are still being produced
today, the technique reached its pinnacle in the
16th century. Lacquered bindings are actually more
the work of the miniature painter than the
bookbinder. The designs were painted in
watercolors on leather, and later pasteboard, that
had been dusted with chalk and given a thin coat
of clear lacquer. After painting had been
completed several more coatings of lacquer were
applied. (347 )
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