Montefiascone Project

Montefiascone Conservation Project
Summer 2014

The following course offerings have been announced for the
Montefiascone Conservation Project at the Barbarigo Seminary
Library, July-August 2014. For more information about course tutors,
fees and registration, see

    <URL:http://monteproject.co.uk/en/study-programme>

28 July - 1 August 2014
Re-creating the Medieval Palette
Course Tutor: Cheryl Porter

    This class will study the colours (made from rocks, minerals,
    metals, insects and plants) that were processed to produce the
    colours used by artists throughout the medieval era. The focus
    will mostly (though not exclusively) be on manuscript art
    (Islamic and European) and participants will re-create the
    colours using original recipes.  Illustrated lectures will
    address the history, geography, chemistry, iconography and
    conservation issues.  Practical making and painting sessions
    will follow these lectures.

4-8 August 2014
Two Semi-limp Parchment Binding styles
Course Tutor: Anne Hillam

    Much attention and research has been given to limp parchment
    bindings, resulting in a clear terminology to describe these
    structures.  This class will focus on the relatively
    less-researched genre of bindings that have been referred to as
    "semi-limp".  On its surface a simple structure, this type of
    binding presents many quandaries for researchers; the lines
    between semi- limp and stiff-board bindings can be blurry at
    best, and even compiling a consistent vocabulary to describe
    their components is far from straightforward.

    The semi-limp vellum binding has been conspicuously overlooked
    in the literature and there are few, if any, published
    instructions in English on how to make these structures. This
    class will construct and compare two semi-limp structures from
    16-17th century European imprints.  The first will be based on a
    binding style noted by Nicholas Pickwoad while examining the
    Ramey collection at the Morgan Library and Museum.  This binding
    is distinguished by a laced flexible cover liner, usually
    consisting of cartonnage or laminated paper, forming what could
    be viewed as a primary cover (with a secondary parchment cover).
    A second, more commonly known structure composed of thin,
    floating flexible boards will also be constructed.  Both
    bindings have the characteristic of the parchment cover only
    being laced on using the endband supports.

    Information gained from an ongoing analysis on a selection of
    "semi-limp" bindings at the New York Academy of Medicine's
    Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Lab will be included
    in the discussion.

    Some knowledge and experience in bookbinding is required.  All
    materials needed to construct the models will be provided at a
    nominal cost. Participants will need to bring basic bookbinding
    tools.

11-15 August 2014
12th century English Limp Tawed Skin Binding
Course Tutors: Jim Bloxam and Shaun Thompson

    Manuscript Pembroke 119 (Alain de Lille, Anticlaudianus) has an
    exceptional contemporary binding with interesting structural
    features, including a limp covering of alum-tawed skin, stained
    red. The covering is further edged with a separate piece of alum
    tawed skin and was formerly fastened with an alum-tawed strap.
    An examination, by the tutors, of the sewing which attaches the
    text-block to the cover has revealed a complex structure that
    has yet to be recorded. The beautifully executed sewing of all
    of the elements testify to the sophistication of the
    craftsmanship of the Romanesque period.

    The tutors will enable the course participants to recreate the
    binding. Processes will include sewing and covering with
    alum-tawed skin. The skins will be stained red prior to covering
    using the appropriate materials and techniques. Complementing
    the practical aspect of the course, the tutors will seek to set
    the binding into context. The use of pigments for staining skins
    will be explored with pigment specialist Cheryl Porter.

    Some knowledge and experience of bookbinding or book history
    would be useful, but is not essential. All materials will be
    supplied (at cost) and participants will need to bring basic
    bookbinding equipment and tools. The tutors will contact
    prospective tutees well in advance of the class.

18-22 August 2014
An Embroidered Turkish Binding
Course Tutors: Kristine Rose and Gaia Petrella

    This workshop will focus on the production of a small 18th
    century Turkish binding from the Chester Beatty Library. T453
    features an unusual leather cover embroidered with metallic
    threads, and boards attached using the two-piece technique.
    Participants will sew a textblock and add endbands in a
    traditional Islamic style before constructing these unique
    covers. Examples of contemporary Turkish bindings will be
    discussed.

Biographies:

    Cheryl Porter has been Director of the Montefiascone Project
    since its inception in 1988. After graduating from Camberwell
    College (University of the Arts, London) she worked at
    University College London Paintings Analysis Unit, analysing the
    use of pigments in paintings and manuscripts. She was Manager of
    Conservation and Preservation at the Dar al-Kutub (National
    Library and Archives of Egypt) and Thesaurus Islamicus
    Foundation 2007-2010 and is currently a consultant for a number
    of institutions with book, papyrus and manuscript collections.
    She has published many articles concerning colour in manuscripts
    and has lectured in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and
    throughout Europe.

    Anne Hillam is a book and paper conservator dividing her time
    between private practice in Western Massachusetts and work as a
    Senior Book Conservator at The New York Academy of Medicine's
    (NYAM) Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory in
    New York City. Anne has been at NYAM since 1998, acting as Head
    of the laboratory from 2007 - 2012.  For more than 20 years she
    has specialized in the conservation of books and paper artifacts
    for institutions and individuals.  She is a Professional
    Associate in the American Institute for Conservation.

    Jim Bloxam, Head of Conservation, Cambridge University Library,
    UK. Jim is an Accredited Conservator of the Institute of
    Conservation. His particular research interests lie mainly in
    the history of books: their structural qualities and their
    cultural context. He has taught historical book structures in
    the UK, Europe and the US, focusing mainly on Romanesque and
    Gothic book structures.

    Shaun Thompson is a bench trained bookbinder with over
    twenty-five years' experience. He has worked at Cambridge
    University Library since 2003. During this time Shaun has taken
    the opportunity to examine and recreate some of the medieval
    bindings within the library. He has sought to share his
    knowledge and skills by teaching a number of practical workshops
    in the UK. Shaun taught a course last year at Montefiascone and
    is looking forward to returning to share his ever-widening
    knowledge and experience.

    Kristine Rose is Conservator of Manuscripts and Printed Books
    (Assistant Keeper) at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and an
    accredited member of the Institute of Conservation. Prior to
    this, she worked at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin with
    particular focus on the Turkish manuscript collection and at
    Cambridge University Library where she worked on a wide range of
    Western rare book and manuscript material but always with a
    particular interest in Islamic binding structures. Her work has
    focused on Islamic manuscript material for a number of years.
    Kristine graduated from the BA (Hons) Conservation programme at
    Camberwell College of Arts in 2002 and is a member of The
    Islamic Manuscript Association.

    Gaia Petrella is a freelance conservator based in Milan, Italy.
    Between 2009 and 2011 Gaia worked on the conservation and
    consolidation of Persian Shahnama manuscripts at the Chester
    Beatty Library, Dublin. Gaia then worked as a book conservator
    at the Vatican Library in Rome on a collection of 48 manuscripts
    from Persia, Turkey and the Arab world with support from the
    Heydar Aliyev Foundation from Azerbaijan. Since 2012, Gaia has
    been a tutor on the advanced training course in Library
    Materials Conservation at the Iraqi Institute for the
    Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Antiquities in Erbil,
    Iraqi Kurdistan. She is a member of The Islamic Manuscript
    Association, and a member of Icon.

The cost of the classes are UKP445(sterling) per week. Participants
may sign up for 1,2 3 or all four weeks. All classes are in English
and prices include tuition and many of the materials. To enroll, or
for further information, please contact Cheryl Porter
<chezzaporter<-a t->yahoo< . >com>. More information and images of the books
can be found on the Montefiascone Project Facebook page.

Maria Fredericks
Drue Heinz Book Conservator
Thaw Conservation Center
The Morgan Library and Museum
225 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016-3403
212-590-0379
Fax: 212-768-5673


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:30
                Distributed: Wednesday, January 29, 2014
                       Message Id: cdl-27-30-018
                                  ***