Meet Our New Obelisks

We're delighted to introduce our handmade obelisks. Each one is constructed completely by hand from archival bookbinders' boards (19 pieces-- quite a puzzle!) and stunning hand-marbled papers from around the world. 

This has been a fun project for us. Having admired antique obelisks made from specimen stones, papier-mâché and other interesting materials, it was a challenge to translate these elements of classical design for production in the bindery.

As is our mission with all of our work in the bindery, we've designed and crafted these obelisks with the intention of creating heirlooms for the future. Every element has been designed and selected for its enduring quality, from the artfully made papers to the solid brass ball feet. 

We've made a batch of these beauties, currently available for immediate delivery at The Parvum Opus Shop. We plan to keep them in stock, having splurged on lots of stunning marbled papers... The patterns are so beautiful and are impossible to resist!

Of course, we're always happy to accept commissions for pieces in special-order papers and design elements (the next batch will feature obelisks with mounted grand tour intaglios... stay tuned!).

  

A New Partners' Desk organizer

A new project: a double-sided partners' desk organizer made to our client's specifications and jacketed in a stunning hand-marbled paper by Il Papiro. 

At Parvum Opus, we have the pleasure of collaborating with our clientele on beautiful bespoke projects every day, and often, our tight schedule prevents us from taking the time to photograph and share them. So today it's my pleasure to share a recently completed project: a double-sided desk organizer designed specifically for our client's Edwardian partners' desk. It features slots for stationery, pens and pencils on both sides, and measures just over 15" long. For this piece, we selected one of the world's finest handmade papers from Il Papiro, the venerable Italian papermaker. 

This paper, called a 'peacock marble' is made one sheet at a time using a centuries-old process, with every inch beautifully varied. To give you some idea of how this paper is created, here's a short video snip from Il Papiro in Firenze (via YouTube): 

We hold craftsmanship and design in the highest regard here at the bindery, and it's a distinct pleasure to work with materials made in the same spirit. As with all of our bespoke projects, we were delighted to design and fabricate this piece and hope that our clients find it beautiful and useful for many years to come.