This structure is based upon the oldest English book in existence, dating from the 7th/8th century CE. The original was found in the year 1104 in the coffin of St Cuthbert.
The original is displayed in the British Library and a detailed examination of the volume was carried out by Claire Breay and Bernard Meehan and the results published. The manuscript is also published online.
The original is displayed in the British Library and a detailed examination of the volume was carried out by Claire Breay and Bernard Meehan and the results published. The manuscript is also published online.
Photo of my binding not yet complete.
St Cuthbert’s Gospel is sewn with Coptic stitch with thread laced into wooden boards. It has a primary Coptic headband (challenging for most of the class), with a secondary end band sewn through the spine leather.
A Celtic knot work pattern is laid out on the boards with thin cord which is attached using an ingenious technique of weaving and pegging.
The book is covered in terracotta goatskin, molded over the cords, which picks out the design in relief on the upper board. It is then embellished with a little blind tooling and part of the tooled area is picked out with yellow paint.
The measurements are 9.7cm by 13.7cm. Quite small. It fits nicely into the palm of my hand. The oak boards are 5mm thick.
I have not yet completed my version of the binding. I need to trace the design and then embellish it with blind tooling.
It is a beautiful binding and I was especially pleased with the results. Many thanks to Michael Burke who showed a group of us how to make this structure with both patience and humour.
The book is covered in terracotta goatskin, molded over the cords, which picks out the design in relief on the upper board. It is then embellished with a little blind tooling and part of the tooled area is picked out with yellow paint.
The measurements are 9.7cm by 13.7cm. Quite small. It fits nicely into the palm of my hand. The oak boards are 5mm thick.
I have not yet completed my version of the binding. I need to trace the design and then embellish it with blind tooling.
It is a beautiful binding and I was especially pleased with the results. Many thanks to Michael Burke who showed a group of us how to make this structure with both patience and humour.
