An Investigation in Terms of Binding Art of Printed Books Dated 1830-1840 in Marmara University Library

Abstract

As in many branches of art within the Ottoman Empire, very valuable works have been produced in the field of book arts. When it comes to the arts of the book, the bookbinding art is understood as well as the arts such as calligraphy, illumination and miniature. Making covers that surround a book or even protect the book is a practice that has been going on since ancient times. These covers, called bindings, are known to vary depending on the material reached. Books are bound with materials such as leather, fabric, marbling, cardboard. It is seen that such a functional application is subjected to various ornaments with aesthetic concern. Although the bindings of carefully prepared manuscript books are decorated with unique ornaments, the same care has not been taken in many printed books. Nevertheless, aesthetics is not abandoned and decoration is included in printed book covers. Printed books belonging to the years 1830-1840 in Marmara University Library were examined in terms of binding arts. It is seen that the binding of the books is mostly made of leather. In addition, there are works with fabric, marbling and cardboard bound. Again, in these books, the decorations are generally formed in the form of central medallion, pendant, bracket and borders on the lower and upper covers. Ebru art has also been used both as a cover and as an ornamental element in bindings, as well as being used as inner covers and side paper of books.