“Las encuadernaciones mudéjares de lacerías con motivos centrales en la Catedral de Toledo” por Carpallo Bautista y Burgos Bordonau (2012)

Carpallo Bautista, A.; Burgos Bordonau, E.; “Las encuadernaciones mudéjares de lacerías con motivos centrales en la Catedral de Toledo”, Anales de Documentación 15(1) (2012) 1-30

DOI:10.6018/analesdoc.15.1.138811 / PDF

Resumen:

Dentro de la historia de la encuadernación española destaca el florecimiento del estilo mudéjar entre los siglos XIII y XVI, sobre todo en la península ibérica, sobresaliendo los trabajos realizados en algunas ciudades como Toledo. La Biblioteca Capitular de la Catedral de Toledo dispone uno de los grupos más importantes de España, cuantitativa y cualitativamente, aunque su estado de conservación no es el más adecuado en muchos de los ejemplares. El presente trabajo pretende estudiar y analizar los diferentes tipos de encuadernaciones mudéjares con lacerías, tipo de decoración muy propio de ciudades como Toledo, Salamanca y Barcelona. Se han estudiado las estructuras decorativas y los elementos artísticos empleados, las técnicas de decoración y de construcción, así como los materiales utilizados en la elaboración, con lo que hemos podido establecer el origen o procedencia de cada encuadernación en función de la estructura decorativa, de los motivos decorativos individuales, de las filigranas de las guardas originales y del tipo de cabezadas.

Abstract:

The Mudejar style between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries in the Iberian Peninsula is specially remarkable, within the history of the Spanish bookbinding, outstanding some of the works done in the city of Toledo. The Capitular Library of Toledo’s Cathedral has one of the most important collections qualitatively and quantitatively speaking, though its state of preservation is not the best one in many of the items. This work pretends to study and analize the different kinds of mudéjar bookbindings with interlaces, a typical style of decoration of cities like Toledo, Salamanca and Barcelona. A study of the decorative structures, artistic elements, tecniques of decoration and construction has been done as well as the materials used for their making. With all these elements we have been able to establish the origin of each bookbinding according to its decorative structure, the individual decorative motifs, the watermark of the original flyleaves and the kind of tops.

"Identification of a white substance on 20th century leather bindings" by Pemberton and Nel (2008)

Pemberton, Briony; Nel, Petronella; "Identification of a white substance on 20th century leather bindings", AICCM Bulletin 31 (2008) 28-35

PDF

Abstract:

The aims of this investigation were to identify a white substance visible on the spines of leather-bound volumes titled Victorian Law Reports and to address any issues of concern. Initially, it was thought that it was a mold outbreak. However, preliminary examination using visual and microscopic methods ruled this out. An analytical path involving environmental scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), microchemical spot testing, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy determined that the white substance was composed of one or more fatty acids and possibly their respective calcium salts. In addition, this investigation provides a review of the available literature and an analytical path for identifying white bloom on leather-bound volumes.

Bookbinding in England and France by Fletcher (1897)

Fletcher, William Younger; Bookbinding in England and France, Seeley & Co., London (1897)
URL (Internet Archive)

Arte della Legatura a Brera, Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, Milano

Bookbinding 

Arte della Legatura a Brera  

Mostra virtuale - versione web
URL

Il sito è aperto dal 12 maggio 2002. Risultano consultabili le immagini di tutte le sezioni, ma le schede in lingua inglese sono disponibili solo in versione ridotta. Sono stati inseriti anche alcuni testi, tratti dal catalogo della mostra "Arte della legatura a Brera" e dai pannelli espositivi utilizzati per la stessa esposizione.
Oltre a una galleria d'immagini, con relativa scheda descrittiva, il sito potrà ospitare contributi, notizie, segnalazioni, attinenti alla storia e alle tecniche della legatura d'arte. La mostra Arte della legatura a Brera, in cui sono stati esposti 110 esemplari di legature italiane e di altre aree europee del Quattrocento e Cinquecento, oltre a 10 legature della Bibliotheca Colbertina possedute dalla Braidense e a vari strumenti e materiali utilizzati nell'arte della legatura, si è conclusa il 22 giugno 2002.

English version: Decorative bookbindings at the Brera (URL)

This website was created on May 12, 2002. Some texts from the exhibition catalogue, Arte della legatura a Brera, and the information panels on display at the Brera event are available for consultation on this website. An English version of all this was created, with reduced descriptive texts. Alongside a Gallery of captioned image files illustrating the Library's collections, this website will include, in time, contributions, reports, hints and tips, suggestions where a history and the techniques of decorative bookbinding are concerned. The exhibition, "The Art of Binding Books Through the 15th and 16th Centuries" housed 110 bindings from Italy and other European countries, along with 10 bindings from the Bibliotheca Colbertina and a host of instruments, tools and materials used in the art of binding books.

Deutsche Version: Einbände in Brera (URL)

Version française: Reliures d'art à Brera (URL)

“The conservation of nineteenth-century leather-covered willow baskets from Franconia/Bavaria” by Kotonski (2012)

Kotonski, Verena; “The conservation of nineteenth-century leather-covered willow baskets from Franconia/Bavaria”, Journal of the Institute of Conservation 35(1) (2012) 77-91

DOI:10.1080/19455224.2012.681292 (restricted access)

Abstract:

An unusual feature of nineteenth-century leather-covered baskets from Franconia (Bavaria) is the combination of materials used in their manufacture: willow skein basketry, leather and coloured parchment together with decoration, such as metal thread embroidery, thin leather straps and quills. This article presents the results of the detailed investigation into the technology and materials of four baskets from the folk art collection of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg. The inseparable nature of this combination of materials, once constructed, makes the conservation of this type of basketry especially challenging. The range of treatment options evaluated is discussed in detail as well as the constraints imposed by the composite nature of the baskets and by conflicting ethical considerations. The treatment strategy that was eventually decided upon reflected a constructive compromise between opposing needs.

Résumé:

“La conservation de paniers en osier recouverts de cuir du dix-neuvième siècle de la Franconie / Bavière”

Une caractéristique inhabituelle des paniers recouverts de cuir du XIXe siècle de Franconie (Bavière) est la combinaison des matériaux utilisés dans leur fabrication: la vannerie avec des écheveaux de saule, du cuir et du parchemin de couleur avec des décorations telles que des broderies de fil de métal, des lanières de cuir et des plumes. Cet article présente les résultats d'une enquête détaillée sur la technologie et les matériaux de quatre paniers de la collection d'art folklorique du musée national germanique de Nuremberg. Le caractère indissociable de cette combinaison de matériaux, une fois assemblés, rend la conservation de ce type de vannerie particulièrement difficile. La gamme des options de traitements étudiés est présentée en détail de même que les contraintes imposées à la fois par la nature composite des paniers et par des considérations éthiques contradictoires. La stratégie de traitement qui a finalement été décidée reflète un compromis constructif entre des besoins opposés.

Zusammenfassung:

,,Die Konservierung/Restaurierung lederbezogener Weidenkörbe aus Franken/Bayern des 19.Jahrhunderts“

Ein ungewöhnliches Merkmal der lederbezogenen Körbe aus dem Franken des 19. Jhds. ist die Kombination von Materialien, die bei ihrer Herstellung eingesetzt werden: Weidenstrangflechtwerk, Leder und gefärbtes Pergament in Kombination mit einer Dekoration aus Metallfadenstickerei, dünnen Lederstreifen und Kielen. Dieser Artikel beschreibt die Ergebnisse einer detaillierten Untersuchung der Techniken und Materialien vierer Körbe in der Sammlung Volkskunst am Germanischen Nationalmuseum in Nürnberg. Die Konservierung bzw Restaurierung wird durch die Kombination von Materialien zu einer großen Herausforderung. Eine Reihe von Behandlungsmaßnahmen werden evaluiert und diskutiert, sowie die Einschränkungen, die sich aus der Materialkombination und aus sich widersprechenden ethischen Fragestellungen ergeben. Die Behandlungsstrategie, die schließlich gewählt wurde, reflektiert einen konstruktiven Kompromiss zwischen diesen verschiedenen Parametern.

Resumen:

“La conservación de cestas de mimbre del siglo XIX cubiertas de cuero y provenientes de Franconia/Bavaria”

Una característica inusual de la cestería del siglo XIX cubiertas de cuero y proveniente de Franconia/Bavaria es la combinación de materiales utilizados en su fabricación: la cesta de madeja de sauce, el cuero y el pergamino coloreado, junto con decoraciones como bordados con hilos de metal, tiras finas de cuero y el cañón de las plumas. Este artículo presenta los resultados de una minuciosa investigación sobre la tecnología y los materiales de cuatro cestas de la colección de arte popular del Museo Nacional Germánico de Nuremberg. La naturaleza inseparable de esta combinación de materiales, una vez construida, hace la conservación de este tipo de cestería especialmente compleja. Se discuten en detalle el rango de opciones de tratamiento y se discuten también las limitaciones impuestas por la naturaleza compuesta de las cestas y las consideraciones éticas que entran en conflicto. La estrategia de tratamiento que finalmente se decidió, reflejó un compromiso constructivo entre necesidades opuestas.

Introduction à l’histoire de la reliure française: XVe-XVIIIe siècles par Toulet (1973)

Toulet, Jean; Introduction à l’histoire de la reliure française: XVe-XVIIIe siècles, Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (1973)

PDF

Leather mini-dress by Paco Rabanne, 1968, Victoria & Albert Museum

Cuir doré hangings in the Royal Ontario Museum by Cselenyi (1973)

Ladislav Cselenyi; Cuir doré hangings in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto (1973)
URL (Internet Archive)

From the text:
Like stone, wood, textile, metal, glass and other substances, leather has from time immemorial been used as a ground for painting. Such paintings are not to be confused with cuir doré, which usually consists of gilt leather pieces (or carrets) decorated by embossing, punching and painting.
The Royal Ontario Museum has acquired two important cuir dore wall hangings, the larger (PI. 1) 518.3 x 274.4 cm., the smaller (PI. 2) 265.5x266.8 cm. Mr. Heribert Hickl-Szabo, Curator of the European Department, discovered them in the possession of the Lindpaintner' family, from whom the ROM acquired them.

“Dead Sea Scrolls exhibitions around the world: reasons for concern” by Rabin and Hahn (2012)

Rabin, I.; Hahn, O.; “Dead Sea Scrolls exhibitions around the world: reasons for concern”, Restaurator 33 (2) (2012) 101–121

DOI: 10.1515/res-2012-0005 (restricted access)

Abstract:

The Dead Sea Scrolls that miraculously survived for over two thousand years suffered considerable damage due to various post-discovery interventions. Today they are subjected to frequent travelling exhibitions. The current work collates the published information on exhibitions and conservational treatments with the results of the analytic studies of the skin-based material of the scrolls conducted since their discovery. The examination of the properties of the scrolls proves that frequent travel, exhibitions and the associated handling induce collagen deterioration that is covered up by the absence of a proper monitoring program.

Zusammenfassung:

Die Schriftrollen vom Toten Meer, die 2000 Jahre überdauert haben, erlitten einen erheblichen Schaden durch Behandlungen nach ihrer Entdeckung. Heute werden sie häufig zu Ausstellungen ins Ausland transportiert. In diesem Beitrag werden die vorhandenen Angaben zu den konservatorischen Eingriffen und zu den Ausstellungen zusammengefasst mit den Ergebnissen der lang-jährigen natur-wissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen von Pergament-ähnlichen Schreibunterlagen. Diese Studie weist darauf hin, dass die häufigen Reisen, die Ausstellungen, und die damit verbundenen Behandlungen, den Zerfall des Kollagens hervorrufen, der ohne geeignete Kontrolle unbemerkt fortschreitet.

Resumé:

Les Manuscrits de la Mer Morte qui ont survécu miraculeusement pendant plus de deux millénaires ont été sévèrement endommagés par les traitements auxquels ils ont été soumis après leur découverte. Aujourd’hui ils sont fréquemment transportés à l’étranger pour y être exposés. Cette étude expose les informations qui ont été recueillies sur les expositions et sur les différents traitements de restauration avec les résultats des analyses scientifiques effectuées sur les papiers parchemin et imitation parchemin. Cette étude met en évidence que les voyages fréquents, les expositions et les manipulations qui y sont associées provoquent la détérioration du collagène dont la progression risque de passer inaperçue en l’absence d’un programme de monitoring approprié.

Lacquered pigskin barber's bowl, China, c.1740, Victoria & Albert Museum

"Effects of isopropanol on collagen fibrils in new parchment" by Gonzalez et al (2012)

Gonzalez, L. G.; Hiller, J.; Terrill, N. J.; Parkinson, J.; Thomas, K.; Wess, T. J.; "Effects of isopropanol on collagen fibrils in new parchment", Chemistry Central Journal 6:24 (2012)
doi:10.1186/1752-153X-6-24 / PDF

Abstract:

Background: Isopropanol is widely used by conservators to relax the creases and folds of parchment artefacts. At present, little is known of the possible side effects of the chemical on parchments main structural component collagen. This study uses X-ray Diffraction to investigate the effects of a range of isopropanol concentrations on the dimensions of the nanostructure of the collagen component of new parchment.

Results: It is found in this study that the packing features of the collagen molecules within the collagen fibril are altered by exposure to isopropanol. The results suggest that this chemical treatment can induce a loss of structural water from the collagen within parchment and thus a rearrangement of intermolecular bonding. This study also finds that the effects of isopropanol treatment are permanent to parchment artefacts and cannot be reversed with rehydration using deionised water.

Conclusions: This study has shown that isopropanol induces permanent changes to the packing features of collagen within parchment artefacts and has provided scientific evidence that its use to remove creases and folds on parchment artefacts will cause structural change that may contribute to long-term deterioration of parchment artefacts. This work provides valuable information that informs conservation practitioners regarding the use of isopropanol on parchment artefacts.

Sandals, shoes and other leatherwork from the Coptic Monastery Deir el-Bachit by Veldmeijer (2012)

Veldmeijer, A.J; Sandals, shoes and other leatherwork from the Coptic Monastery Deir el-Bachit: Analysis and Catalogue, Sidestone Press, Leiden (2012)
URL (Sidestone)

Abstract:

The Coptic monastery and cemetery Deir el-Bachit stands on the hilltop of Dra’ Abu el-Naga, the well-known necropolis in Qurna (West Bank, Luxor). It is the largest Coptic monastery complex preserved in Western Thebes and the first monastery that has been systematically investigated. The excavation of the monastery was started as a DFG-Project des Ägyptologischen Instituts der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in close collaboration with the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Abteilung Kairo.

Until the start of the investigations in 2001 with a survey, little research was done. After three seasons of preliminary research, full archaeological research was started in 2004. The leatherwork was studied in 2007, the present volume of which presents the results. The book consists of two parts: the analysis and a detailed catalogue, including colour images of all finds and, where necessary, line drawings. The finds are analysed within the framework of the excavation as well as within the frameworks of the Ancient Egyptian Leatherwork Project and the Ancient Egyptian Footwear Project (www.leatherandshoes.nl).

Mumien in Museen von Bigna Ludwig (2006)

Bigna Ludwig, Mumien in Museen. Aspekte zu Besitz, ethischem Umgang, Konservierung und Ausstellung am Beispiel einer peruanischen Kindermumie aus den Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen Mannheim, Diplomarbeit Institut für Restaurierungs- und Konservierungswissenschaft Fakultät Kulturwissenschaften der Fachhochschule Köln, 2006

URL

Kurzzusammenfassung:

Die Fragestellung zum ethisch korrekten Umgang mit Mumien in Museen, insbesondere bei Konservierung, Restaurierung, Lagerung und Ausstellung, wurde der Methodik der Angewandten Ethik folgend untersucht. Die Sichtweisen der unterschiedlichen Disziplinen, die einen beruflichen Umgang mit Mumien haben, wurden dargestellt. Eine ­Entscheidungsfindungsstrategie wurde entwickelt, die dem Konservator/Restaurator hilft, ein adäquates Maßnahmenkonzept zu erstellen. Als Grundlage diente das niederländische „Decision-Making-Model“ aus dem Bereich der Konservierung moderner Kunst. Die praktische Umsetzung der erarbeiteten Entscheidungsfindungshilfe erfolgte anhand einer peruanischen Kindermumie aus den Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen, Mannheim. Mit Hilfe der entwickelten Strategie wurde ein Maßnahmenkonzept erstellt. Vorgeschlagen wird eine passgenaue Lager- und Ausstellungsstütze aus biokompatiblem Material, hergestellt mittels rapid prototyping. Material und Technik kommen aus der Medizin und berücksichtigen somit das ehemalige Menschsein der Mumie.

Abstract:

Different professional disciplines are dealing with mummies in museums. They have different professional interests and different opinions about the correct way to deal with mummies. It’s important not only to know the ethical guidelines of one’s own profession but also to look at the situation from different points of view. Furthermore it was considered to be helpful to have a strategy for decision-making in conservation. The dutch “Decision-Making-Model“ for conservation of contemporary art was adapted to mummies in museums. It was then applied to a peruvian child mummy from the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen in Mannheim, resulting in a conservation concept. Proposed was a storage and display mount fabricated with rapid prototyping technique from biocompatible material. This method is used in medical surgery and thus is taking account of the mummy’s original humanity.

"Use of Adhesives on Leather Discussion" (2003)

Consuela Metzger, Deborah Howe & Gillian Boal (moderators), "Use of Adhesives on Leather Discussion", The Book and Paper Group Annual 22 (2003) 99-104

PDF

Abstract:

This summary of the leather and adhesives discussion group covers the four presentations given, as well as the discussion points. A working bibliography on skin and hide follows the summary as appendix 1. Book conservation concerns were emphasized, but the topic brought together conservators from many specialty groups. Major topics addressed included: combination adhesive systems made from starch paste and synthetic adhesives; Lascaux 498HV and Lascaux 360HV; alcohol-remoistenable mending strips; and unmixed starch pastes. Also included are discussions of working methods for preparing and applying adhesives to new and deteriorated leather and mending strips. Many of the presentations and questions included the interrelated topics of leather consolidation and leather coatings, also of concern to a variety of conservation specialties.

“La producción y comercialización del guadamecí en Córdoba durante el siglo XVI” por Alors Bersabé (2011)

Alors Bersabé, Teresa María; “La producción y comercialización del guadamecí en Córdoba durante el siglo XVI”, Ambitos: revista de estudios de ciencias sociales y humanidades 25 (2011) 87-96

URL / PDF

Resumen:

La producción del guadamecí fue durante el siglo XVI una de las más importantes en la ciudad de Córdoba, lo que favoreció un incremento de los oficiales dedicados a esta labor, provocando favoreció la aparición de unas Ordenanzas muy específicas que regularon el gremio de guadamecileros. Este estudio pretende mostrar los rasgos característicos de esta industria durante dicha etapa, incluyendo los factores favorecedores que permitieron su apogeo, así como los gustos de una sociedad que demandaba cada vez más este tipo de trabajo en cuero.

Abstract:

Guadameci’s production was, during the XVI century, one of the most important for the city of Cordoba, which caused an increase of skilled workers dedicated to this work and led to the emergence of specific ordinances for the regulation of the guadamecileros’s guild. This study aims to show the characteristics of this industry during that period, including the predisposing factors that enabled its peak and the tastes of a society that increasingly demand this type of leather work.

"Gilt leather/guadameci in Coimbra..." by Pereira (2012)

Pereira, Franklin; “Gilt leather/guadameci in Coimbra – comments on documents of the 12th and 16th centuries”, Boletim do Arquivo da Universidade de Coimbra 25 (2012) 169-180

PDF

Resumo:

Entre vários tipos de calçado, as posturas municipais de Coimbra, de 1145, referem botas em couro dourado/”gudemiciz”; parece ser esta a primeira referência aos guadamecis no reino de Portugal, e em particular numa cidade recentemente reconquistada ao domínio muçulmano. Em finais do século XVI, vários documentos da Universidade de Coimbra referem cobertas de parede, coberta de mesa e guardaportas, tudo fabricado por um guadamecileiro. Esta documentação leva-nos numa viagem às modas mudéjares e medievais onde o guadameci se encontrava.

Abstract:

Amidst different footwear, the taxes of Coimbra, dated from 1145, refer boots made in gilt leather/“gudemiciz”; it seems this is the first reference to gilt leather in the kingdom of Portugal, and in particular in a city recently conquered from the Muslims. In late 16th century, several documents of Coimbra University refer wall hangings, a table cover and large door frames made by a maker of gilt leather. These historic data take us into a journey of mudejar and medieval fashions where gilt leather was a part.

Pocket book covered with sharkskin, ca.1680, Victoria & Albert Museum

Fish skin grain layer: "lixa", sharkskin

Definition of sharkskin in Matt T. Roberts and Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the conservation of books: A dictionary of descriptive terminology, 1982

URL

"Les techniques et le commerce de la tannerie à Montréal au XVIIIe siècle" par Perrier (2000)

Perrier, Jocelyne; “Les techniques et le commerce de la tannerie à Montréal au XVIIIe siècle", Scientia Canadensis: Canadian Journal of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine / Scientia Canadensis: revue canadienne d'histoire des sciences, des techniques et de la médecine 24 (2000) 51-72

URL / PDF

Resumé:

Les travaux sur des groupes d’artisans canadiens pratiquant le même métier ou des métiers dans le même secteur de transformation, à l’époque préindustrielle, ont montré la diversité des caractéristiques socio-économiques des individus les composant. Les historiens se sont peu penchés sur l’aspect marchand du travail de l’artisan. Or, l’étude de la pratique d’un métier artisanal doit inclure l’analyse de son commerce, puisque la propriété des moyens de production est l’un des facteurs déterminants de la hiérarchie interne des groupes d’artisans. Dans cet article, nous présentons d’abord le contexte dans lequel était pratiqué le métier de tanneur à Montréal au XVIIIe siècle. Nous décrivons ensuite le tannage, une technique complexe et longue, et le commerce de la tannerie, qui exigeait de son propriétaire des assises financières solides. À l’aide de nombreuses sources documentaires, nous avons suivi les individus tout au long de leur cycle de vie et mis en lumière le rôle joué par leur famille.

Abstract:

Studies of artisans in pre-industrial French Canada have demonstrated the diversity in the socio-economic characteristics of people working the same trade, or trades within the same sector. Historians, however, have been less interested in the merchant aspects of the artisan's life. The study of artisans should address the ownership of the means of production, because it is one of the many factors that have determined the internal hierarchy amongst artisans. This article will explore the context in which the tanning trade was practiced in eighteenth-century Montreal. Furthermore, it will analyze the long and intricate process of tanning and the demanding characteristics of the trade, which required tanners to have a strong financial base. With the use of various sources we are able to follow the lives of several individual tanners and shed light upon the role of their families.

Satchel made from crocodile skin, early 20th century, The MET Museum of Art