Celtic Bookmark Collection

This is a collection of bookmark images I made. Each painting is made using watercolors, ink, and 23K gold on watercolor paper. The details of each design are below!

Bird Panel Bookmark, 1.5" x 6"

This wee peacock has a flourish of tail feathers and knotwork, similar to the style of birds in manuscripts like Lindisfarne Gospels or the Book of Kells, although this fellow is an original design. The tail feathers are more swirly than they usually would have done, but I think it gives him a very decorative effect and really suits the bookmark shape.

Spiral Panel Bookmark, 1.5" x 6"

This painting features a traditional looking "S" spiral border design, as can be seen in manuscripts like the Lindisfarne Gospels or the Book of Kells. This design however is colored in a more fantasy style palette, for a twist, and is my own modern spiral pattern.

Knotwork Panel Bookmark, 1.5" x 6"

A wonderful full key red was used as a background for this detailed knotwork panel, created in the style of the Lindisfarne Gospels or the Book of Kells. The gold leaf with the red makes it look very regal, and it's a great addition to the set.

La Tene Spirals, 3" x 8"

I love exploring the La Tene period of Celtic art. Here I've blended La Tene inspired swirls (commonly seen on early metalworks and pottery) with spiral forms from a later period, when Celtic manuscripts like the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels were made. The La Tene period is a very loose and organic style of art, characteristically full of tendril and loops, rather like plant life, and reminds me a lot of Art Nouveau designs.

La Tene Knot Panel Bookmark, 2" x 8"

In this bookmark panel, the knot in the center (which would date to about 600 to 700 AD) is paired with an earlier style of Celtic art called the La Tene style. The La Tene period in Celtic art history dates from approximately 450 BC to 50 BC, and is named for the La Tene valley in Switzerland, where a large amount of early Celtic artifacts were found. The art style is a very loose and organic, full of wild tendril and loops, spirals, and vine-like designs.

All bookmarks copyright Cari Buziak, 1999.