It was Augustus that once said he found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.  Thus, it is this precious element that is so closely associated with all that is beautiful and esteemed. Marble has been regarded highly and used to build temples for emperors and empresses, to create sculptures in the likeness of gods and goddesses, and to create tombs for important figures to carry their earthly bodies (and their souls) toward the afterlife.

It is in this essence and with this spirit, that marbleized paper came to be.  This process dates back to the twelfth century, when it was practiced in Japan, and possibly China as well. The intricacies and kaleidoscopic effect of marbleization is created when absorbent paper picks up liquid ink from a water bath. This process was traditionally used to decorate and embellish high quality leather bound books, either on the inside covers or on the front or back of the editions.

As marbleized paper is extremely decorative, it is also used currently as wallpaper, on stationery or cards, and the like.

“Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.”
-Alexis Carrel

Attribution to Martha Stewart, Ruby Lane, Vintage Printable, Tilton Fenwick