Zespół SIGLUM ma zaszczyt zaprosić na wykład „The art of bookbinding: micro-CT analysis of book structures — the case of Mary Stuart’s prayer book” prof. Chiary Mazzocchi (Wydział Fizyki, UW), który odbędzie się w środę 11 grudnia 2024, o godz. 5:00-6:30. Zapraszamy na spotkanie na Wydziale Fizyki UW, przy ul. Pasteura 5, pok. 2.62 lub online na platformie Zoom.

Zgłoszenia do udziału w spotkaniu na platformie Zoom prosimy przesyłać na adres: siglum@wn.uw.edu.pl.

Abstract: Cultural heritage conservation relies more and more on the support of scientific analysis, in particular, the use of non-invasive techniques. This is fundamental when dealing with unique artworks of great historical and/or artistic importance. To study the structure of the binding, in particular when a book cannot be easily opened, the cover needs to be taken apart. Such an invasive method cannot be applied to precious and unique historical objects. An alternative and most importantly non-invasive method that helps to understand the binding structure without dismounting the cover is imaging via highly penetrating, yet safe for the object X-rays. Micro-CT (computed tomography) can be used to study the book structure, in particular the spine, as support in the conservation work, to provide some insight before the book is subject to physical examination.

In this pilot study, the method was used to support conservation work in the prayer book of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. It is a delicate, illuminated manuscript on vellum, written in Latin and French, made first for the Abbess of Fontevraud, who donated it to Mary Stuart, her niece. During a rebinding process in the late 18th/early 19th century, the manuscript leaves were misplaced, and some went missing. Moreover, it is no longer possible to open the book to more than about 30 degrees without damaging its binding and pages. To prepare the book for conservation, a series of (micro-)CT scans were conducted, followed by post-conservation scanning for comparison and validation of the adopted methodology. In a preliminary study, medical-grade scanners were used at the Cardiology Institute in Anin, Warsaw, with 200 and 400 μm resolution. These scans provided some insight into the structure of the book. They were followed by micro-CT (40 μm voxels) analysis at the Warsaw University of Technology which revealed further clues hidden deeper in the spine. Owing to the procedure, we have been able to undo the thread used in sewing and find the clues showing the original and later binding.

During the talk, we will present the preliminary results of the analysis as compared to the visual observations following the conservation of the book by Anna Grzechnik (Academia Copernicana). We will also propose an outline of the works planned in the future.