Description
A thin writing or drawing sheet prepared from the skin of a sheep or goat. Parchment was used as early as 2nd century BCE in Rome and the Near East. The skin is dehaired with lime then scraped, rubbed, and polished with abrasives (pumice) and fillers (chalk or talc) on one side to provide a smooth writing surface. Thin translucent sheets of parchment made from stillborn or newly born calves or lambs are called vellum. They are used for documents, fine books, drum heads, and lamp shades. The term parchment is sometimes applied to modern paper (wood pulp) products with that are finished to imitate the appearance of vellum or parchment (see vegetable parchment).
Synonyms and Related Terms
parchemin (Fr.); pergaminho (Port.); drumhead leather
Hazards and Safety
Adversely affected by moisture and high humidities.
Susceptible to biodeterioration.
Additional Information
° R.Reed, Ancient Skins, Parchments and Leathers Seminar Press, London & New York, 1972
° P. R³ck (ed), Pergament, Geschichte-Strucktur-Restaurierung-Herstellung, Sigmaringen, Jan Thorbecke Verlag, 1991. (German)
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Last updated on: 3/8/2010 9:48:47 AM
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