Gothic Bookbindings: Hidden Details
Explore the intricate craftsmanship and symbolism of medieval book covers, revealing their hidden protective features and artistic beauty.
By Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Arkadiusz Wagner, Liliana Lewandowska
Gothic elegance: the details and symbolism of medieval books
Gothic bookbindings are masterpieces of craftsmanship, blending practicality with extraordinary ornamentation. Precise decorations and symbolic motifs reflected the spirit of the era, making each binding a unique work of art and a testament to history.
Gothic bookbinding with the horn bosses photo 5Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Bone, corner or metal bosses and, in the late Gothic period, mostly brass furnishings served (and still do) two functions: to protect the surface of the cover against physical damage and to decorate the entire volume.
On both covers of the binding of the Breviary Collectar from the second half of the 14th century there are five prominent corner bosses hammered with iron nails.
Gothic bookbinding with an iron chain attachment photo 3Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
In the late Gothic binding presented here, its furnishings are examples of mass production, which is manifested by identical shapes and ornamental decoration punched with a die, diversified by repoussé metalwork and cut-out openwork detail.
In many similar furnishings, the bosses were repoussé, making the metal thin and susceptible to deformation. Here, however, separately cast solid bosses were soldered, enhancing durability, as shown by the abrasions on their tips.
The most original element of the same binding is the iron eyelet for the chain, which was once used to attach the book to a desk, shelf or armarium.
Such details would generally been given a shape resembling the letter “U”, and their flattened ends would have been nailed to the lower board (much less frequently: the upper board) of the cover at its upper or lower edge.
Gothic bookbinding with an iron chain attachment photo 1Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Here, however, it has the shape of a small iron ring with long, flattened “wings” on the sides; the holes in them were used for hammering nails into the oak board.
The location of the eyelet is equally unusual: away from the edge of the binding, between the tips of the bottom corner pieces. This solution had its practical justification.
While the eyelets located at the edge of the board could be relatively easily broken off (and thus the book could be taken from the library, leaving only the chain on the desk or shelf), in this case, it was practically impossible without causing significant damage to the board.
Gothic bookbinding with goldsmith’s furnishings photo 4Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Four convex ring-shaped openwork gilt-silver bosses and a stylised swirling rosette are visible on both covers of the Psalter from around 1480.
Gothic bookbinding with goldsmith’s furnishings photo 10Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
The fastenings have an exceptionally original form of three-dimensional heads of angels or putti.
They are de facto miniature locks with a key that unlocks the strap hook.
Gothic bookbinding with a covering resembling the so-called "cloak book binding" photo 1Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Its decoration and at the same time additional protection were provided by the furnishings of the collection of treatises on canon law, philosophy and theology.
Gothic bookbinding with a covering resembling the so-called "cloak book binding" photo 5Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
In the 15th c. the furnishings (initially in the form of bone or bronze bosses) increasingly took the form of mass-produced brass furnishings with stamped decorations.
Chemise bindings for luxurious prayer books would assume a different form; they were usually made of luxurious fabrics enriched with goldsmith’s fittings.
Gothic bookbinding with a complete chain photo 1Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
This volume with a collection of biblical stories, proverbs and quotations from 1388 not only features bosses and an iron eyelet nailed to the lower cover but also a complete chain with characteristic long links ending with a fastening ring.
It served to easily slide the chain with the book onto an iron rod mounted into the structure of the lectern or armarium.
Discover the beauty and craftsmanship of medieval bosses and fittings – details that protected books and today tell the story of ancient craftsmen.
The entire collection of the most valuable and beautiful Gothic bookbindings from the University Library in Toruń is available on the NCU profile on Google Arts & Culture. There, you will find descriptions of individual objects and their most captivating photographic shots.
Storyline and preparation, photo selection: Dr. Liliana Lewandowska (University Library in Toruń)
Texts: Prof. Dr. Arkadiusz Wagner (Institute of Information and Communication Studies, UMK), Dr. Liliana Lewandowska (University Library in Toruń). Inspirations drawn from: Oprawy gotyckie XIII-XVI wieku ze zbiorów toruńskich. Gothic book bindings from the 13th-16th centuries in Toruń collections, Katalog wystawy w Muzeum Okręgowym w Toruniu, grudzień 2024 – luty 2025. Catalogue for the exhibition at the District Museum in Toruń, December 2024 – February 2025, oprac. Arkadiusz Wagner, współpr. Magdalena Awianowicz, Marta Czyżak, Beata Madajewska, Krzysztof Nierzwicki, Toruń 2024.
Photos: Piotr Kurek (University Library in Toruń)
University Library in Toruń
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