Book cover with overall stripe, zigzag, and triangle pattern 1800 - 1900

This patterned book cover, with its stripes, zigzags, and triangles, reminds us that even the most functional objects carry cultural meaning. Created by an anonymous artist, its lack of clear provenance allows us to consider broader contexts, such as the historical relationship between bookmaking and societal hierarchies. Books have historically been associated with power and knowledge, often restricted to certain classes or genders. A cover like this, even if simple in design, participates in this complex history. It speaks to the democratization of knowledge, while also reminding us of the labor, often invisible, that goes into book production. The geometric patterns, with their repetitive nature, can also be viewed through the lens of labor and craftsmanship. The act of creating such patterns, perhaps by hand, reflects a specific kind of artistic labor, one that often goes uncredited. In considering this anonymous artwork, we are invited to reflect on the human element embedded in even the most seemingly mundane objects.