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{\tfc Hand-braided multiple-strand bookmark}
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This bookmark is inspired by the a medieval fingerloop braided bookmark, preserved in a manuscript from 1436. It is hand-braided, following 15{\high th} century instructions for flat 5-loop braids, and the ends are finished with beads. Instead of the original materials silk and linen, modern space-dyed cotton has been used for affordability and accessibility.

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\placefigure [nonumber,middle] {\tfx \it A detail of {\em The Vision of St Augustine} by Vittorio Carpaccio} {\externalfigure[Carpaccio_Augustine_detail]}


The medieval and Renaissance manuscripts very seldom had numbered pages. If numbering existed, it got cut off when the manuscript was bound.

Thus, to refer to a certain place in a book, the learned men and pious women of the period often used multiple-strand ribbon bookmarks that were either fastened directly to the top of the book binding or loose, fastened onto an anchor - a button, a knot, a fabric bolster - on top. The bottom ends were finished with e.g. beads or tassels.

This far only some 30 medieval or Renaissance bookmarks are known, the delicate ribbons preserved by the manuscript they were used in. However, this type of bookmarks are common in paintings, used in prayer books or by learned men like Jerome who did the official Bible translation into Latin, the {\em Vulgata}.




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