Handpainted Leather Journal, One of a Kind blank book on astrology - Between Heavens and Earth
This one of a kind journal is bound in beige leather and free painted by hand in great detail. The theme of the journal is astrology - cartography, inspired by the illustration of the Ptolemaic (geocentric) model of the universe, created by the Portuguese cartographer Bartolomeu Velho in 1568. The model depicts the Earth at the center of the universe, with celestial spheres surrounding it, representing the Moon, planets, Sun, and fixed stars. This was the dominant cosmological model before the heliocentric theory of Copernicus.
The image depicts, from inner to outer circles: Earth, depicted as a globe with continents and oceans; the Celestial Spheres (Planetary Orbits) arranged from closest to farthest: Luna (Moon), Mercurio (Mercury), Vênus (Venus), Sol (Sun), Marte (Mars), Júpiter (Jupiter), Saturno (Saturn) and The Firmament (labeled "Firmamento") represents the fixed stars, which were believed to be embedded in a great sphere beyond the planets. After that follow The Primum Mobile, the outermost sphere believed to move all others in association with the divine motion, and the Angelic Realm, representing angles. The binding decoration was given a tridimensional effect by bringing some of the circles on a higher level using raised bands beneath the leather surface, and a tactile feel by the use of tooling for the concentric circles.
The painting is made with leather dyes and sealed so that it does not wear off during time.
The book measures 10.2 x 7.3 inches (26 x 18.5 cm) and has 216 pages (432 sides). It is filled with artist quality paper, Favini Laguna with aged parchment finish, 160 g/m². The paper is hand torn and works for any media including watercolor. It is acid free and does not bleed through.
The endpages are made of letterpress decorative paper in a bold red color with gold wavy decoration. The headbands were hand sewn from red and gold threads.
This book is an art object. Whether you will use it as a magic journal, a secret diary, a family heirloom, it will make a beautiful addition to your home library.
