Image of Bindings and covers are integral to book production, protecting pages from damage, and holding them firmly in place. They are also of great importance for book design, sometimes echoing the style of the work within. The Chester Beatty collections include a wonderful range of decorated bindings and covers revealing a variety of formats and techniques.

Bindings & Covers

Bindings and covers are integral to book production, protecting pages from damage, and holding them firmly in place. They are also of great importance for book design, sometimes echoing the style of the work within. The Chester Beatty collections include a wonderful range of decorated bindings and covers revealing a variety of formats and techniques.

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Genji words and pictures (Genji kotobae)
1688
Japan
CBL J 1126

Highlights

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  • Slideshow

  • Detail of stamped gilded leather book cover, for the Cream of Histories (Zubdat al-tawarikh) by Luqman-i Ashuri, Istanbul, Turkey, CBL T 414

    Detail of stamped gilded leather book cover, for the Cream of Histories (Zubdat al-tawarikh)
    Luqman-i Ashuri
    Istanbul (Turkey)
    CBL T 414

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  • Image of Filigree leather book cover, for the Five Poems (Khamsa) of Amir Khusrau, 1485, Herat, Afghanistan. CBL Per 163

    Filigree leather book cover, for the Five Poems (Khamsa) of Amir Khusrau
    1485 (890 AH)
    Herat (Afghanistan)
    CBL Per 163

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  • Image of Genji words and pictures (Genji kotobae), 1688, Japan. CBL J 1126.

    Genji words and pictures (Genji kotobae)
    1688
    Japan
    CBL J 1126

    3 / 9

  • Image of Great Encyclopedia of the Yongle Reign (Yongle dadian), 1562-1567, China. CBL C 1756.

    Great Encyclopedia of the Yongle Reign (Yongle dadian)
    1562-1567
    China
    CBL C 1756

    4 / 9

  • Image of Life of the Buddha, mid-19th century, Burma. CBL Bu 1207.

    Life of the Buddha
    mid-19th century
    Burma
    CBL Bu 1207

    5 / 9

  • Image of Iris, painted lacquer album cover, Delhi, India, c. 1850. CBL In 27

    Iris, painted lacquer album cover
    Delhi (India)
    c. 1850
    CBL In 27

    6 / 9

  • Image of Stamped leather binding, Gospel book, 13th century, Hromkla, Cilicia (modern Turkey). CBL Arm 558.

    Stamped leather binding, Gospel book
    13th century
    Hromkla
    Cilicia (modern Turkey)
    CBL Arm 558

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  • Image of Wooden binding boards, 200-300 AD, Egypt. CBL Cpt 803.

    Wooden binding boards
    200-300
    Egypt
    CBL Cpt 803

    8 / 9

  • Image of Wotton’s Element of Architecture and Vitruvius’ De Architectura, translated by Michael Wills (active c. 1721–1777); bound by Edward Beatty (d. 1794), binding c. 1755, manuscript c. 1770, Dublin (Ireland). CBL W 192.

    Wotton’s Element of Architecture and Vitruvius’ De Architectura, translated
    Michael Wills (active c. 1721–1777)
    bound by Edward Beatty (d. 1794)
    binding c. 1755
    manuscript c. 1770
    Dublin (Ireland)
    CBL W 192

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Chester Beatty
Dublin Castle
Dublin 2
D02 AD92