Paper & Parchment
Parchment is any animal skin (usually calf, sheep or goat) prepared in an alkali solution and dried under tension. Parchment was the primary writing support across the ancient world (besides papyrus), for books, scrolls and bindings. It has been in constant use for over two millennia.
Paper offers an excellent surface for writing, drawing, painting and printing. It is usually made from a pulp of plant fibres or processed textiles. Invented in China during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), by the 8th century the new technology arrived in the Middle East. Although introduced to Europe in the mid-10th century, paper was not widely used until the advent of printing in the mid-15th century.
Qur’an, copied by Ibn al-Bawwab
Abbasid Baghdad (Iraq)
1000-1001 (391 AH)
CBL Is 1431
Highlights
- List
- Grid
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Geisha seated on porch beside plum tree
Keisai Eisen
mid-1820s
Japan
CBL J 20101 / 9
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Gospel book
Hayrapet and Yokob (depir)
1655
Isfahan (Iran)
CBL Arm 5782 / 9
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Harklean Gospels
Isho’bar Romanos
1177
Tella (modern Turkey)
CBL Syc 7033 / 9
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Life of the Buddha
mid-19th century
Burma
CBL Bu 12074 / 9
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Mechanical paper making
Theatrum machinarum novum
published by Paul Fürst
1662
Cologne (Germany)
CBL AZ8455 / 9
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Qur’an, copied by Ibn al-Bawwab
Abbasid Baghdad (Iraq)
1000-1001 (391 AH)
CBL Is 14316 / 9
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Qur’an
copied by Muhammad ibn al-Wahid
14th century
Mamluk Cairo (Egypt)
CBL Is 14407 / 9
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Qur’an, copied in gold on blue-dyed parchment
probably Tunisia
10th century
CBL Is 1405A8 / 9
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One hundred lohans
early 19th century
China
CBL C 11479 / 9