BOOKRESTS AS PUZZLES

Many puzzle collections contain some examples of these bookrests. On first seeing one it qualifies as an Impossible Object. Quite simply "How was it made?" Two planks slotted together so that they could not come apart and folded between flat and an X shaped book rest.

The truth is that they really are created from a single plank by skilled craftsmen.

This large 2 part bookrest measures 74 x 32 cm. (29 x 12.5 inches). Split into two parts from a 3 cm thick board of very hard hardwood and then carved.

This example has been made into 4 sections from Indian ebony. This is beginning to be a puzzle to assemble as a rest.

This was made in China by Lee Yu, who has stuck a label on the inside. The plank was split in two, then one end of each of the two parts was split in two again. This produced an unusual book rest though simple to assemble.

This truly beautiful bookrest is made from a sycamore plank which has been split into SIX parts then beautifully carved. Made in 2010 in Tashkent area.

It is a proper puzzle to assemble it in this form.

Another modern bookrest. This one from central Turkey has not yet been carved. It is an amazing feat to have split the plank into EIGHT parts.

Easy to start unfolding it but a significant challenge to arrange it as below.