Handpainted Leather Journal / Alchemic Book - The Old Zodiac

This journal is bound in natural vegetal tanned leather, hand tooled and free hand painted in great detail. The theme of the journal is inspired by an alchemic treaty from 1652, Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum where the illustrations are incredibly beautiful. The spreads on both covers contain detailed floral frames around the edges and intriguing details such as insects and animals. The central panels depict zodiac signs, on the right hand side with their figurative representations and on the left hand side with their astrologic correspondents and constellations. Other interesting figures can be found such as the sun and the moon on the front cover, lions asleep perhaps guarding the entrance to an ancient temple, the divine dove and Eve on the back cover. 

The painting is made with leather paints and sealed so that it does not wear off during time. A patina was applied to the entire book with transparent glazes so make it resemble an old manuscript. 

The book measures 10.2 x 7.3 inches (26 x 18.5 cm). It is filled with Fabriano artist quality paper and has 114 pages (228 sides). The paper is warm white, blank, it has 200 g/m², is hand torn and works for any media including watercolor. It is acid free and does not bleed through.

The endpages are made of marbled paper. The headbands were hand sewn in three colors from silk thread. 

This book is an art object. You can use it as a magic journal, a book of spells, a secret place to keep your thoughts.