Paper Marbling

In the 16th century we suddenly begin seeing beautifully marbled and decorated papers in Persian manuscripts and albums. The technique likely was important from China, or a local invention based off of trying to recreate the patterns found on Chinese papers (Paper marbeling had been done in the orient as early as the 9th century). These papers are used as backing papers in albums or sometimes have calligraphy and illumination on them (creating a lovely affect). The British Library guide to Book Binding credits Persia as the first country to use marbled papers in books¹.

Basically, pigments (ink, paint or dye) are floated on the surface of a bath and a paper is laid upon that surface. The paper should be treated with a mordant or size of some kind to allow it to absorb the pigment. Excess is washed away and the paper allowed to dry.