Hanji paper a new material from an old tradition, first speculations on possible uses in conservation practices in Italy

Alessandro Sidoti

Book conservator at the National Central Library of Florence

The Florence National Central Library, immediately after the ’66 flood, has tried to pay special attention to the materials used for its restoration projects among others, the Japanese paper which, adopted it in a systematic manner becoming one of the first promoters of its use.

• The reason is that such a disaster promoted a world wide intervention, becoming the first informal important international symposium in paper conservation. Nowadays, the Florence National Central Library still retains such a role, promoting the study of new methodologies and testing new restoration materials.

• After almost fifty years, we would have expected that the materials available to conservators were to offer a greater variety, higher quality and that they were more readily available.

• That is not so• More attention on the use of

paper for the restoration of the materials derived from protein.

Why Hanji paper

• dimensional stability• absence of machine

direction• good mechanical strength

and folding endurance• respond adequately to the

needs of the restoration of the proteinaceous material

• new binding in limp paper

• BNCF while trying to maintain its traditions– always looking for

innovative solutions– improve the quality of its

conservation procedures

• every day more complex for the financial shortfalls

• lack of chemical laboratories to test materials

• We should facilitate the maintenance of two traditional crafts such as Korean paper production and Italian book restoration

• In US, Hanji hand made paper is known and find large application in the field of restoration, but in Europe it is seldom used for applications in conservation’s workshops.

• Korean paper, lead to believe that this may be a valid alternative to parchment for the construction of new bindings and for temporary or permanent applications into paper conservation practices

The Trivulziana workshop

• 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy

• participation of ten restorers with at least five years of experience in the project "The use of Hanji, mulberry Korean paper, in the Paper conservation workshop".

The Jikji and Leonardo

• A fac simile of the Jikji was presented together with the original Codex Trivulziano of Leonardo da Vinci

• The Hands-on workshop was held on 5 and 6 June 2014 in the laboratories of restoration of Trivulziana Library of Milan and it was conceived by Nella Poggi, restorer of works of art on paper and coordinator Project "Hanji meets Science”

• Tutor Minah Song, Senior Conservator at the Laboratory of restoration of the Center for Conservation Art and Historic (CCHA) of Philadelphia

The Trivulziana workshop

What emerged from the workshop ?

• scarce are the applications in laboratories restoration in Europe.

• Need of analyzing the fiber Hanji in comparison with Japanese papers

• Need of studying different applications of this paper in the conservation of manuscripts and printed books

• Need to test reactions of this fiber with adhesion tests and surface treatment with different adhesives

• Need to create a network of skills

• Increase communication among colleagues

• Submit an abstract entitled Use of the Korean mulberry paper Hanji in book and paper conservation. When a traditional material meets new techniques at the Icon Book & Paper Group Conference

“Adapt and evolve 2015” London (8-10th april 2015)

• ‘Use of Korean Mulberry Paper, Hanji, in Book and Paper Conservation’ Dr Paolo F. Calvini, Dr Chiara Fornaciari da Passano, and Nella Poggi

• The Group 130° that is composed by paper, book and photo mid-career professional conservators; they were the winners of the “Hanji Award”, announced on the occasion of the 130° Anniversary of bilateral relationship between Korea and Italy

The Group 130°

• The group will investigate the particular features of Hanji paper and will evaluate its applicability in the conservation of a range of historical and artistic items in the form of book, graphic art and photograph. Mechanical reaction of Hanji paper to stress and its resistance to wear & tear will be evaluated through its use in conjunction with different materials, e.g. baritate photographic supports, vellum, tanned leather book structures.

Minni and the mystery of the Jikji

• An original story was published in the Mickey Mouse Magazine on the Jikji

• By the writer Riccardo Secchi

Minni and the mystery of the Jikji

C.T.S. in the spread of paper Hanji

• CTS, present since 1984

• leading company in the materials for Restoration, Preservation and Archiving