Knotwork cover

George Bain worked in all sorts of materials, including leather, lino and wood. This leather item is decorated with one of his designs. It is a hand-tooled notebook cover with embossed knotwork border and centrepiece. The simple central panel includes the initials C and B in lower case letters. Presumably Bain made it for one of his daughters, Chirsty or Claire.

The knotwork pattern is very similar to those in the Book of Kells and other early medieval gospel books. It uses one continuous line, symbolising Eternity.

Inside the leatherwork are two full-size pockets. Opening a notebook at its middle, its covers can be slid into the pockets. The two thongs that run vertically down the spine of the leatherwork fit down the centre pages of the book. They keep it in place.