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An open book carved on a monument, often a Bible.
Also known as: Bible gravestone motif, Book carved on a grave, Book of life
A book shown open on a monument. Usually a Bible, and often carrying an inscription; where it is closed instead, the difference is conventionally read as a life completed rather than a life still being written.
Open and closed books are conventionally distinguished — the open book as a life still open to view or the scriptures, the closed book as a life completed. The distinction is standard in the literature and inconsistently observed on actual stones.
A standard reading, applied inconsistently by carvers.
Also used to mark a scholar, clergyman or teacher, in which case it functions as an occupational marker rather than a religious one.
A book carved lying open, its two rectangular pages meeting at a central spine line, sometimes bearing incised lettering.