![]() ![]() Calf, sheep, and goat were all commonly used, and other animals, including pig, deer, donkey, horse, or camel were used on occasion. However, in Europe, from Roman times, the word was used for the best quality of prepared skin, regardless of the animal from which the hide was obtained. The word "vellum" is borrowed from Old French vélin 'calfskin', derived in turn from the Latin word vitulinum 'made from calf'. Terminology Quran from the 7th century written on vellum It is used for a variety of purposes including tracing, technical drawings, plans and blueprints. Modern "paper vellum" is made of synthetic plant material, and gets its name from its similar usage and high quality. ![]() Scratching the surface with pumice, and treating with lime or chalk to make it suitable for writing or printing ink can create a final look. To create tension, the process goes back and forth between scraping, wetting and drying. ![]() The making involves the cleaning, bleaching, stretching on a frame (a "herse"), and scraping of the skin with a crescent-shaped knife (a "lunarium" or " lunellum"). ![]() Vellum is generally smooth and durable, but there are great variations in its texture which are affected by the way it is made and the quality of the skin. Thus the term avoids the distinction between vellum and parchment. It may be very hard to determine the animal species involved (let alone its age) without going to a laboratory depending on the way of making the paper. Modern scholars and experts use the general and potentially-confusing term "membrane" more often. Vellum is prepared for writing and printing on and used for single pages, scrolls, codices, or books. It is distinguished from parchment when it is made from calfskin, rather than that made from other animals, or having a higher quality when it is not. Vellum is prepared animal skin or membrane, typically used as writing material. Magna Carta, written in Latin on vellum, held at the British Library A vellum deed dated 1638, with pendent seal attached Animal skin will not have visible fibres.For other uses, see Vellum (disambiguation). Is there a variation in opacity? A variation in opacity, but not in thickness, is evidence that it may be animal skin.Īre there creases or tears? If so, place a magnification loupe along one edge and look for paper fibres. Is there a variation in colour? If there is, it is supporting evidence that it is animal skin, though a variation in colour alone is not strong enough evidence to determine that it is not coated paper.Ĭan it be flexed easily? Vellum and parchment are stiffer than coated paper. Is there a grain or are hair follicles visible? If so, it is vellum or parchment. How can we tell the difference between animal skin and coated paper? Some polymer coatings may have a sheen, or cause the paper to be stiff and inflexible, producing similar qualities to parchment and vellum. Polymer coatings are used to achieve physical characteristics, water resistance, and to prevent ink from feathering. There are many types of coated paper, which include clay coatings and polymer coatings. As parchment is usually created from the skins of full-grown animals, the grain is more pronounced due to larger hair follicles and there may also be evidence of old scars and discolouration. Vellum typically has a finer grain, fewer flaws, and fewer colour variations. How can we tell the difference between vellum and parchment? Finally they are cut out of their frames and are trimmed and shaped. Once dry, the skins may be made smooth by scraping with a pumice stone and dusted with chalk powder. The skins are then stretched on a wooden frame, and while wet, are scraped with a knife a second time. The skins are removed from the vat and placed fur side up on a convex surface, and the fur is then scraped off. Both parchment and vellum are made by soaking the skins in lime and water for a week and a half while stirring the vat a few times a day. ![]()
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