From the f451 exhibition catalogue
During our excavations at the by now famous Gutenberg site, we were able to salvage this two nearly perfect examples of bookmarks as they were used during the time of the great repression, with its frequent book burnings. The artifacts have been dated at ca. 2334. We know from other sources that that was the time when the authorities – not being satisfied with the burning of books – started going after the bookmarkers as well.
As can be seen in these examples, it led to quite sturdy objects. Materials frequently included raw clay, but this was almost always enhanced with more fragile, aesthetically pleasing materials.
This is the case here with object f451/089793, apart from clay it is adorned with straw, paper and threads of wool.
Actually, the other even more sturdy object f451/087311 was a bit of a surprise to us. Here embedded in the clay is some kind of material that is actually burning very well, as if it is meant for setting things on fire. This could have been done in defiance of the authorities. ‘The middle finger’ as it was called in the old days.
Art by Jan Pieter 