JAIC 2004, Volume 43, Number 2, Article 5 (pp. 175 to 184)

A METHOD OF MOUNTING PARCHMENT USING HAIR SILK

MARGARET LAWSON

ABSTRACT—A straightforward, secure, nonadhesive method of mounting parchment using hair silk was devised for the exhibition of Jean Pucelle's manuscript, The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux, from the Cloisters Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Adhesive attachments were not acceptable because the selected folios, which were to be rebound, had no former adhesive attachment, the margins needed to remain pristine for rebinding, and any application or removal of adhesive would disturb the vellum. The requirements of the mounting method were to be able to safely support the leaves in travel and exhibition without abrading pigmented media and to be unobtrusive so as not to obscure or detract from the incredibly fine design elements. The materials, experimental methods, and testing that led to the development of the hair silk mounting system, as well as the three exhibition formats, are described. Additional suggestions, adaptations, and limitations of the system are discussed, and sources for materials are provided.
[Spanish Abstract] [French Abstract]

Article Sections:

1. INTRODUCTION
2. OBJECTIVES
3. HAIR SILK (SILK THREAD)
4. MATERIALS
5. METHODS OF MOUNTING
6. ADAPTATIONS AND LIMITATIONS
7. CONCLUSIONS
a: Materials , Author Information

Entire Article