The Amalfi PaperThe Amalfi Paper

An ancient process used still An ancient process used still today in harmony with naturetoday in harmony with nature

Since 1200 Amalfi produced paper . Since 1200 Amalfi produced paper . The Arabs introduced new tecnologies which The Arabs introduced new tecnologies which needing a particolar type of water, very commun needing a particolar type of water, very commun in the Amalfi area, especially in the Valley of in the Amalfi area, especially in the Valley of MillsMillsIn those years precious Amalfi paper was lighter, In those years precious Amalfi paper was lighter, easily-handled and more clearly readableeasily-handled and more clearly readable to to transcribe the very numerous transactions that transcribe the very numerous transactions that Amalfi merchants carried out at their own home Amalfi merchants carried out at their own home or in all the ports they landed. or in all the ports they landed.

The processThe process

In Amalfi , the Valley of Mills, along the In Amalfi , the Valley of Mills, along the river Canneto, there are several paper river Canneto, there are several paper mills. Waterpower is used to turns wheels mills. Waterpower is used to turns wheels and pistons to breaking the natural, and pistons to breaking the natural, fibrous materials ( cotton) down in a fibrous materials ( cotton) down in a mushy pulpmushy pulp

The pulpy mixture is put into a majolica The pulpy mixture is put into a majolica tiled vats and dilued with more watertiled vats and dilued with more water

then, a layer of a pulp would be collected and then, a layer of a pulp would be collected and distributed evenly over the mesh.distributed evenly over the mesh.When the water drainedWhen the water drained, the paste sheet was , the paste sheet was placed between two layers of felt.  Stacks of placed between two layers of felt.  Stacks of these paper layers were then placed under a these paper layers were then placed under a press to squeeze out any remaining waterpress to squeeze out any remaining waterThe sheets were then collected, stacked and The sheets were then collected, stacked and allowed to dry in the open air.  When dry, they allowed to dry in the open air.  When dry, they were treated with animal gelatine and smoothed were treated with animal gelatine and smoothed by handby hand

Today, Amalfi paper is Today, Amalfi paper is considered to be one of the considered to be one of the finest and intended for finest and intended for people who love the quality people who love the quality and refinement of hand made and refinement of hand made articles produced in harmony articles produced in harmony with the natural with the natural enviromnentenviromnent