Papilionaceous silk bookmarks – a brief history
We first began weaving silk bookmarks in 1998.
At that time we were based in Highbury, North London and the first set of bookmarks were produced for the book shop at Liberty in Regent St.
This set featured classic Liberty designs – Ianthe and Feather – along with artwork from Aubrey Beardsley and the Silver Studio.
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In 1999 & 2000 two designs were produced for Royal Opera House, London including this one commissioned to coincide with a production of Der Rosenkavalier.
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In 2000 the Victoria & Albert museum commissioned a bookmark for that years’ Art Deco exhibition.
It was inspired by a French poster advertising the first guest appearance of the American dancer Loïe Fuller at the Folies Bergère variety theatre, Paris 1893.
A number of other designs were subsequently stocked in the museum shop.
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The year 2000 also saw the first Simon Drew bookmark – Puffin Nuffin – which has remained in production ever since, being joined by further designs over the years.
In 2001 we moved to our current premises in Dartmouth, Devon. Entirely coincidently, this is also the town in which Simon Drew lives and works.
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In 2005 a set of four designs was produced for National Gallery, London depicting details from pictures in the collection. Further designs have been added to that range subsequently and can be found in the National Gallery shops.
If you have any questions or comments please get in touch.
