Framing medieval manuscripts

Anne Lane <alane [at] infoave__net> on behalf of Tricia Smout, writes

>    I have indulged myself, and spent lots of money in the process,
>    by purchasing a single page from a 15th century manuscript. It
>    is just beautiful and I am so pleased with it.
>...
>    I want to frame it so that both sides of the page are visible

One of the elegant solution for framing paper or parchment object
and having both sides visible is done as follows: The parchment is
placed between two layers of (nearly) transparent synthetic cloth or
Franch silk as well, than a few stitches should be made around the
parchment margins (this should be made near the object but not
touching the margins) with a delicate extra fine thread to create
kind of pocket enclosure between the two cloth layers and preventing
from the object from changing its location. Now the margins of the
cloth can be attached inside a double side mat which can be remove
into double side glass or plexy frame. The frame should be sealed
properly as to prevent undesirable invaders.

Michael Maggen
Senior paper conservator
The Israel Museum Jerusalem
Israel

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:60
                 Distributed: Friday, January 22, 1999
                       Message Id: cdl-12-60-006
                                  ***