Decorative edges
[1][page is still being edited] Decorative edges refers to book page edges that have been painted, cut, engraved, or otherwise embellished, usually for purely aesthetic purposes.
History of decorative edges
Decorative book edges are very popular today, but they are not a modern invention. In the Middle Ages, books were considered luxury items, and were very expensive. The books were bound and decorated elaborately with expensive materials like gold and silver, and were filled with colorful illustrations and calligraphy.[2] However, some of these decorations were also practical. Originally, sprayed edges (also known as "spredges"), were used to identify books. Instead of the title being on the spine of the book like it is today, it was painted onto the page side and books were stored on shelves with the page side out.
- ↑ Gustavson, Denise. "New Digital Print Paradigm." Printing Impressions, vol. 59, no. 7, 2016, pp. 24-24,26. ProQuest, http://libgateway.susqu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/new-digital-print-paradigm/docview/1917636710/se-2.
- ↑ Minneapolis Institute of Art. “Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts.” Artsmia, 2021, new.artsmia.org/programs/teachers-and-students/teaching-the-arts/art-in-context/medieval-illuminated-manuscripts.
