handmade, Laid, cream, Shiny/glossy, Three crescent watermark and LG

Ingredients

paper pulp

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Paper was commonly produced by submersing a mould into a vat of macerated liquid paper pulp. A deckle or frame was attached to the mould to capture the pulp. As the mould and deckle are brought to the surface, the excess was removed leaving the mould covered with paper fibres. After the sheet dried slightly, the deckle was removed and the mould was flipped onto felt sheeting for pressing and drying (p. 97).

Evidence

"The manuscript MUL 33 is living evidence of historical trade routes. From the watermarks contained within, we know the papers were manufactured in Italy and travelled to the Middle East where they were cut, bound and inscribed with Islamic law doctrines."

Remarks

Sample MUL 33 (Kitāb Multaqá al-abḥur, dated 1048/1638). Paper features both laid and chain lines. Chain line frequency is measured at 25 millimetres and laid line frequency at 2 millimetres. The formation is even with no areas of uneven pulp distribution. The finish is shiny/glossy, characteristic of the Middle Eastern practice of burnishing (p. 99). The watermark contains three crescents (tre lune) and the letters LG, indicating Italian manufacture for the Islamic market (p. 102).