Short marbling history


The origins of the marbling art have to be sought in the Asian region. There are first mentions in China in the 10th century. The oldest known marbling, in the Japanese form of Suminagashi, dates from the beginning of the 12th century. The Hiroba family made these types of papers into the 55th generation, for a great period exclusively for the imperial court.


36poets collection MITSUNE1

Two pages of 'Waka' poems by Oshikochi Mitsume (20 cm x 32 cm) on Suminagashi paper around 1100
About today's India and Iran these papers came in the 15th century in the then Ottoman Empire. Since that time the technique of marbling, which is called Ebru, is very popular in today's Turkey. Koran texts are adorned and books decorated.


Arabic manuscript on marbled paper   Arabic manuscript on marbled paper   Arabic manuscript on marbled paper



At the beginning of the 17th century the marble paper, still referred to as 'Turkish Paper', came to Europe. Here, these colored papers were first produced in manufactorys and from the 19th century on factories and delivered to the whole world. They have been used as high-quality reference materials for books, musical instruments and optical devices or for gluing furniture, caskets and cases.


Book with marbled paper Paris 1784    Books with marbled papers-Paris 1897    Book with marbled papers-London 1898



The mass production of these papers collapsed with the first world war. After that, there were only a few manufactories producing these papers. Today, there are only a few enthusiasts around the world who support their livelihood with the production of marbled papers.


Examples of historical marbled papers with an approximate production time




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