Restoration of parchment volumes - Part 1

Course location Ascona

This two-part course focuses on the professional restoration of historical parchment volumes and is aimed at restorers with prior knowledge of book restoration.
The first week lays a solid foundation for working with parchment. The focus is on its structure, properties, typical ageing processes and the limits of its resilience. Theoretical content will be taught and initial practical exercises will be carried out to allow participants to try out the material for themselves.
Another focus will be on analysing various historical parchment binding techniques. Examples will be used to discuss their respective advantages and disadvantages, their stability and their weaknesses in long-term behaviour. These findings will form the basis for restoration decisions in the second week of the course.
Alternative materials to parchment – such as contemporary substitute materials or newly developed materials – are also presented, tested in practical use and critically evaluated with regard to their suitability for conservation or restoration measures.
If time permits, a simple conservation binding made of parchment will also be produced – as a possible measure for the long-term preservation of damaged objects.
The two parts (course nbr. 20 and nbr. 21) can be booked individually or together.