Bookmark Collector

I wish I had a photograph of this bookmark. It’s at the Royal Brunei Museum in their extensive Islamic Arts Gallery. Unfortunately, they don’t allow cameras.

This gallery at the museum has an amazing collection of pottery, bronzes, weavings, carvings, weaponry, and many other forms of Islamic art. The museum is also known for its illuminated Holy Korans. These manuscripts are hundreds of years old, and the calligraphy is exquisite. And, to mark the location where a worshiper left off reading, they would use a bookmark.

As I was walking through this collection, I stopped at piece with the distinctive shape of a bookmark. Made from a thin strip of ivory, I would say it was approximately 2 1/2 inches (60 mm) by 7 inches (175 mm), flat edges on the long sides with rounded ends. The pattern was pierced through the ivory in a large number of small holes. These pierced holes covered the entire bookmark and made a pattern of interwoven, geometric designs. It was beautiful and looked like a piece of lace. The craftsmanship had me studying the piece for quite awhile.

The label indicated that it was made in India in the 16th century, specifically to be used in a Koran. I didn’t see any broken or chipped pieces, so it has survived in excellent shape. I suppose it is similar to when I find well preserved bookmarks in old, family bibles. Such a protective case demands care and respect.

I know there are few who will be able to see such an artifact on their own, and I couldn’t find any pictorial record of the items in the collection, so I apologize for just teasing you with a description. It was a highlight of my trip and I need to provide some record of such an amazing bookmark.