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Watermark

filigrane

Filigrane here is a watermark, the design made visible through differences in the paper’s thickness, rather than metal filigree ornament.

From the book

The Gods Are Athirst

Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Meaning

Lemma.

Filigrane here is a watermark, the design made visible through differences in the paper’s thickness, rather than metal filigree ornament. Élodie checks it against the light along with two kinds of mould lines. The narrator makes her commercial competence concrete before describing her flirtation and needlework. Skill in examining material evidence and skill in managing a lover coexist in the same character.

Places to read

  1. Chapter III, paragraph 4Frenchle filigrane: the note’s watermark. Her examination precedes depositing the assignats in the till.