Le Rotulus: an artistic bookmark inspired by parchment

This small scroll, attached to a wooden rod, holds the page in place without slipping and can be unrolled at will, much like a pocket-sized painting. Designed and crafted in Strasbourg by artist ZalmO, this artistic bookmark draws inspiration from ancient parchment scrolls, turning reading into a cherished ritual. Hand-drawn illustrations adorn this playful nod to our age of scrolling, offering book lovers a poetic and sustainable object.

A pocket-sized scroll between the pages

ZalmO ; Le Rotulus

The Rotulus does more than simply mark a page; it enhances the reading experience. Taking the form of a miniature illustrated scroll, it fastens at the top of the page with a wooden rod. Unlike a traditional bookmark, which slips to the back of the book, this one stays in place, marking the line where you left off. Readers unroll it, contemplate it and tuck it away as they turn the pages, then bring it out again. Although the object measures just a few centimetres, it packs a real visual punch. ZalmO sees it as an accessory that slows down the act of reading, encouraging readers to take the time to unroll it and link an image to their reading, thus transforming a pause into a moment suspended in time. Both practical and decorative, it accompanies the book while also standing out in its own right, whether placed on a shelf or framed on the wall.

From the volumen to the scroll: a nod to the history of the book

ZalmO ; Le Rotulus

The name alone speaks volumes about the intention. Before the codex-style book that we are familiar with today, texts were carried on scrolls. The volume was unrolled horizontally and the rotulus vertically. ZalmO borrows this ancient term to link two gestures separated by millennia. Unrolling parchment and scrolling down a screen stem from the same movement. “Yesterday we unrolled parchment; today we scroll,” she summarises. This act of unrolling spans the ages, reminding us that humanity has been scrolling through world news since the dawn of time. The Rotulus plays on this parallel with a touch of mischief: it restores permanence and meaning to an automatic habit, inviting us to reconnect with the gesture of scrolling through words and images with our fingertips — whether across the web or a painted canvas — and changing our relationship with the object and the moment.

ZalmO, the artist behind the piece

ZalmO ; Le Rotulus

Discreet by nature, she signs her illustrations with her artist’s name: ZalmO. Her career spans various disciplines: she trained as a visual artist, studied literature, and worked in the performing arts for nearly fifteen years. A few years ago, drawing returned to the forefront, spurred on by lockdown and the birth of her son. Passionate about literature and the history of the book, she sought a way to create a dialogue between gesture, narrative, and the object. She works with a fine-tipped pen and watercolours, focusing first on the line and then on the colour. Her motifs originate from images that she envisages: a hand, which was her first subject of study; a bear, which is a legacy of her Pyrenean roots; a pregnant woman, which is a result of her experience of motherhood; and a rook, which has escaped from her medieval readings. These figures are brought together in thematic worlds ranging from nature to gastronomy.

100% made in France

ZalmO ; Le Rotulus

Each Rotulus is based on an original ZalmO drawing. The illustration is then sent to a French printer who reproduces it on canvas as faithfully as possible. The frame is made of wood and the ribbon is made of satin. The entire piece is tear-proof, water-repellent, and crease-resistant, and is designed to withstand many reading sessions. ZalmO assembles each piece by hand, making every item unique. Design, printing and assembly are all carried out in her Strasbourg workshop. The small wooden stem that secures the bookmark to the book is a fine example of micro-design and is protected by an INPI design registration. Even the packaging is wax-sealed and designed to make gift-giving a pleasure.

Updated collections and a Junior range

ZalmO ; Le Rotulus

The online shop features the full range of designs, which are regularly updated. Each Rotulus has a name and belongs to a specific theme, so you can find one that speaks to the recipient or matches their favourite read: ‘Rhinocéros’ for theatre lovers and ‘Polar’ for thrill-seekers. The price remains the same at €15, whether you buy online, at a trade fair or in-store. A Junior collection completes the range, featuring Mon Dragon, Le Guépard, and Le Hibou Chou Caillou Pou. ZalmO designed it for her seven-year-old son, whose tastes inspired the designs. Children enjoy the items, which bring a touch of awareness to the act of reading. According to feedback from parents, they also enhance reading time by adding an element of passing on knowledge. Some enthusiasts, initially drawn in by the illustrations, buy several to hang in their homes, turning them into decorative and collectable items in their own right.

From bookshops to businesses

ZalmO ; Le Rotulus

Le Rotulus particularly appeals to booksellers and retailers beyond individual customers, who are drawn in by its novelty, human appeal and the idea of a renewed reading experience. There is also a sense of solidarity between artists and cultural figures who are keen to restore meaning to their profession. Businesses and local authorities are also taking an interest, seeking meaningful, handcrafted, French-made gifts for works councils, conferences, and business trips. ZalmO accepts bespoke orders, ranging from variations on an existing design to original creations to be printed. A word to the wise…

Where can you find Le Rotulus?

The complete collection, which is regularly updated, is available in the online shop. In Strasbourg, ZalmO works and exhibits all year round at the Wyrd gallery, shop and studio in the heart of the Krutenau district. The artist responds to enquiries herself via her website and on Instagram.