Brown paste paper book cover 1800 - 1900

This anonymous book cover from the late 18th or 19th century, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, showcases a unique marbled paper technique. The brown paste paper displays a distinctive pattern of swirling and textured lines, possibly created using a comb or other tool to manipulate the paint mixture. This type of decorative paper, often referred to as "marbling," was a popular method for adding visual interest to books, documents, and other objects during the period. The cover's dimensions are 8 1/2 × 14 5/8 inches (21.6 × 37.1 cm).