Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe

Transcription

1 Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe Restoration and research of two Hebrew manuscripts on parchment from The Czartoryski Library Department of the National Museum in Kraków No. 2442,

2 Contents About project Book of Esther Manuscript description Condition Restoration treatments Ketubah (prenuptial agreement) Manuscript description Condition Restoration treatments Ms Robin Nobel visit Project participants

3 ABOUT PROJECT Restoration and research of two Hebrew manuscripts on parchment from The Czartoryski Library Department of The National Museum in Kraków, no. 2442, 3888 Project founded by: Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) no. 004/11 Project s beneficiary: Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie no ; 222 Book of Esther parchment, 17th cent. no Amount: gbp / pln Aims: Complete restoration and technological research (parchment, pigments, ink) Time: Place: The National Museum in Kraków, The Paper and Leather Conservation Studio Ownership of the objects: The Princes Czartoryski Foundation in deposit of the National Museum in Kraków Funds purpose: 1. Research 2. Restoration 3. Equipment Ketubah (prenuptial agreement) parchment, 18th cent. no. 3888

4 BOOK OF ESTHER Manuscript description Condition Megilat Ester The Czartoryski Library, no Second half of the 17th cent. Probably created in Venice. Parchment scroll, workshop unknown. Dimensions: 169 x 17,5 cm The manuscript consists of complete Book of Esther. Layout of hand-written text and decoration is symmetrical in whole scroll. Scroll over the entire length and width is richly ornate with floral, geometric, scenes with figures and animals. The edging of the scroll is a copper-plate coloured with tempera. To decorate was used the kit of plates, which reflected the original decoration, the main pattern, final decoration and 20 small plates were used to have the illustrations impressed on. Scroll type Klagsbald by Mendel Metzger from the 60s of Twentieth century Parchment scroll, water ink Condition, 2011: Object heavily damaged, with large surface deformations, heavily padded. Parchment surface grimed, covered with leaks and stains, with clear gaps and defects. The beginning and the end of the roll with extensive damages - strong bookmarks, discoloration, gaps filled with retouches, with spaces of illegible layer of paint. This layer is worn in places, with gaps, locally strongly darkened. Restoration treatments cleaning removal - the weakening of stains and leaks removal of old retouches and traces of repairs supplementing the gaps of parchment straightening parchment retouches with paint layer project and realisation of the protective box

5 BOOK OF ESTHER the detail before restoration BOOK OF ESTHER the detail after restoration

6 KETUBAH (PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT) Manuscript description Condition Ketubah (prenuptial agreement) The Czartoryski Library, no beginning of 18th cent. 29 month kislev 5473 (= , Wednesday) Scripture: square script, brown ink Dimensions: 40 x 80 cm Contract between Miss Consuelo, daughter of Jaakov of Siena and Esztrogo (Estrogo) son of David and Marino, in Rome. Text of the bride and groom blessing characteristic for the Italian rite. A single parchment sheet with the typical formula for a Jewish wedding contracts with a number of quotations drawn from the Tanach. The central part of Ketubah is the theme of gate with two spiral columns (gold and red and blue decoration), with decorative capitals and base (pink and gold). Red frame with colorful floral decoration. At the top of the card there is a gold crown. Bipartite emblem is placed at the bottom of the page. Parchment scroll, ink, water paint Condition, 2011: Object heavily damaged, with large surface deformations, parchment heavily padded. Parchment surface grimed, covered with leaks and stains, with clear gaps. The edges strongly yellowed. Layer of paint worn in many places, with losses of parchment, locally strongly darkened. On the back retouche stripes of Japanese tissue paper. Restoration treatments cleaning removal - the weakening of stains and leaks removal of old retouches and traces of repairs supplementing the gaps of parchment straightening parchment retouches with paint layer project and realisation of the protective box

7 KETUBAH before restoration KETUBAH after restoration

8 MS ROBIN NOBEL VISIT PROJECT PARTICIPANTS 24/04/2012 Ms Robin Nobel inspector of Rothschild Foundation (London) visits project works in Kraków Janusz S. Nowak project coordinator, historian, Head of The Czartoryski Archives and Collection of Manuscripts in The Czartoryski Library, Custodian of The National Museum in Kraków. Dorota Okrągła main project restorer, conservator in The Paper and Leather Conservation Studio and Bookbinding Workshop in The National Museum in Kraków. Above Ms Dorota Okrągła main project restorer and Ms Robin Nobel inspector of Rothschild Foundation Dr Anna Klisińska-Kopacz chemist in The Laboratory of Analysis and Nondestructive Testing of Artefacts (LANBOZ) in The National Museum in Kraków. Piotr Frączek conservator in The Laboratory of Analysis and Nondestructive Testing of Artefacts (LANBOZ) in The National Museum in Kraków. Marta Przęczek financial specialist of grants and research project planning in Finance and Administration Department of The National Museum in Kraków.

9 Text: Janusz S. Nowak Idea and graphic design: Michał Dudek, Translation: Barbara Nowak Photographies: Dorota Okrągła, Piotr Frączek, Michał Dudek, Janusz S. Nowak, strona internetowa MNK Kraków 2012