The mastery of gold leaf is but one skill in the binder’s decorative repertoire. Mosaic binding is another, more exacting finishing method. The inlay mosaic technique (seen on the first three bindings) involves cutting out a figural shape from the covering leather, then replacing it with an alternate piece of the same size and thickness but a contrasting color or grain. In the onlay technique, the contrasting leather pieces are laid over the covering leather, appearing in relief. Both methods can create elaborate decorative or narrative scenes.
The painted leather armorial is another decorative option, as seen on the fourth binding. The fifth binding combines cutout leather and gold and silver foil on a background of red foil. Sheets of mica, a clear silica material, protect the exposed painted areas and reflective foil.
Bound for Queen Marie Leszczyńska (1703–1768)
Jacques-Antoine Derome (1696–1760), binder
Mosaic binding in cream, black, and red morocco, with individual gilt tooling, on: Le psautier de David, 1725
PML 198290
Bound for an unidentified marquis
Perhaps Louis Douceur (d. 1769), binder
Red morocco, with individual gilt tooling and painted armorial, on: Pierre-Annet de Pérouse (1699–1763)
Extrait de l’histoire généalogique de la maison de Beaumont, 1757
PML 198348
Bound for Pierre-Louis-Paul Randon de Boisset (1708–1776)
Nicolas-Denis Derome (1731–1790), binder
Cut binding in cream and black morocco, with individual gilt tooling, and gold, silver, and red foil under mica, on: Almanach royal, année M. DCC. LXV, 1765
PML 198429