Book Marks 1938

These three "Book Marks" were made by J. Howard Iams, who lived from 1855 to 1995. We don't know the precise date of their making, but it seems safe to assume they were produced in the late 19th or early 20th century. They appear to be rendered in watercolor on paper, depicting three ornate bookmarks, each featuring an elaborate cross motif. The original objects may have been made of silk or velvet, with the crosses embroidered in thread. These simulated bookmarks represent the historical context of religious life, and the labor-intensive production of textiles in the domestic sphere. The crosses themselves are comprised of smaller crosses, suggesting a community of believers. In their original context, objects like these would have involved countless hours of skilled needlework, often by women. Iams has memorialized these acts of devotional making. We should resist the tendency to see such objects as purely decorative, instead appreciating the intense work involved in their production, and the social meanings they carried. Iams's artwork invites us to consider the boundaries between art, craft, and devotional practice.