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| Byzantine Binding |
Bookbinding in the Byzantine Style
About the background
This Blog started out life HERE where you can see more photographs of the finished book.
I decided to publish it as a blog in order to get it out into the world.
About the blog
I wrote this post back in September 2018 and in the process of reviewing it today (Mid- November) somehow conspired to delete it so, if you have been here before and it looks different that's why.
If you are viewing this page for the first time. I am writing at the end of the process so it is virtually complete - apart from how to make the bag.
Double clicking on the images enlarges them. Links are in red like this.
Please feel free to add comments which may help others and me improve.
About me
I'm an artist and maker with educational roots who also attempts to manage an allotment and am either at the old end of being young or the young end of being old.
Having had several attempts at western styles of bookbinding I have recently been enchanted by this particular eastern style.
About the tools and supplies
It is possible to bind in this style without the extensive and often expensive gear sometimes associated with western bookbinding. Apart from basic hand-tools and the ability to sharpen and use them, it really can be done on a kitchen table - though you'll probably have to get permission to fix a portable vice to it. If you have access to lots of tools traditionally associated with bookbinding that's fine. At some stage you will have to pare some leather, and for this you will need a paring knife. I would advise ordering one from here if you don't already have one. You will have to do a bit of sharpening on a stone and honing on a leather strop when it arrives.
About suppliers
I have no financial connection to any of the suppliers mentioned in the blog which leaves me free to say who and what I use, and you free to use what you have or do your own thing. In my experience the best tools and materials are those that do the job, which doesn't mean they are the most expensive.
Acknowledgements
I gratefully acknowledge Alan Fitch and Anna Yevtukh whose courses I have attended at various times and the website of Sage Reynolds.
Especially I thank Glenn Malkin whose courses I have also attended and who has provided a fresh pair of eyes making suggestions as the work progressed.
Whilst their influences and ideas have contributed to this project any mistakes are mine.
About you
As I have mentioned previously provided that you can use a variety of hand tools and have good hand eye coordination this project should be well within your capability.
You will either read through the whole thing first - which is probably sensible, or just dive in, or somewhere in between. Some of the posts will make sense straight away other will take a couple of viewings. However you decide to go I wish you good luck. I'm happy to answer any questions by email if you think I can help.
About the style
Researching on the internet will throw up countless pages and images which I would encourage you to look at. The go-to book on the subject is: Szirmai, J. A. (2017). The Archaeology of Medieval Bookbinding. Routledge, London. It's an expensive book £80 hardback and £40 paperback. The paperback version is a 'print to order book', so don't be tempted to go for any 'get this book tomorrow offers' - unless you find a copy secondhand.
About the future
I hope to add lists of things; tools, supplies and suppliers resources etc. at the end of the blog.
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