Date of Award
9-2026
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Name
Art Conservation, M.A., C.A.S
Department
Art Conservation Department
Advisor
Theresa J. Smith
Advisor
Anne Hillam
Department Home page
https://artconservation.buffalostate.edu/
First Reader
Theresa J. Smith
Second Reader
Anne Hillam
Third Reader
Jiuan Jiuan Chen
Fourth Reader
Glennis Rayermann
Fifth Reader
Rebecca Ploeger
Abstract
Three late 17th-century Dutch stiff board parchment bindings were brough from the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library to SUNY Buffalo State University Garman Art Conservation for treatment in 2024. Research was undertaken to better understand the content, the period in which the works were produced, and the historic bindings of the era. Treatment was carried out to reduce the planar distortion of the parchment covers, stabilize and mend the damaged joints, and reform the turn-ins. Parchment that had become brittle was locally humidified and mended to prevent future damage from handling. Protective clamshell boxes with pressure flaps were made for each volume to reduce future movement and planar distortions of the bindings. Imaging was performed to document the conditions of each work and helped uncover binding features including information about the sewing supports and papers used in the textblock. A review of parchment manufacturing, repair, and conservation was conducted to consolidate some of the wide range of published works and to help inform further treatments based on current practices.
Recommended Citation
Ayvazian-Hancock, Samara, 2026. Structural Treatments of Three 17th-Century Parchment Bindings. Art Conservation Master's Projects, SUNY Buffalo State University.
ADA Title II Compliant
1
