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St Cuthbert's Gospel - making a facsimile

9/4/2017

7 Comments

 
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.

Picture
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.
7 Comments
Claire Sauer link
9/4/2017 03:21:26 pm

What a beautiful, beautiful thing! Can I ask its dimensions? Is it palm-size or larger?

Reply
Lyndell
9/4/2017 04:54:08 pm

Hi Claire
I should have said what the dimensions are. I will rectify that. Thanks!
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.
It is a beautiful little book.
Thanks for the comments they are much appreciated.

Reply
Claire Sauer
9/4/2017 05:24:49 pm

Thank you for this, Lyndell, it is indeed a wee treasure :) Another nosey question - what kind of paper did you use? Presumably the Cuthbert's original used vellum...

Lyndell
11/4/2017 10:42:18 am

The paper was about 120 gsm and was provided by Michael. He said that it was no longer available so I didn't make a note of it unfortunately.

Reply
Lyndell
11/4/2017 10:42:53 am

Oh, and yes the original was vellum.

Reply
David Pott link
11/4/2022 10:26:16 pm

I have just found your website as I am searching for a facsimile of St Cuthbert's Gospel to take on a Lindisfarne Gospels Pilgrimage in September. We plan to take one in a replica of St Cuthbert's coffin through Co Durham and Northumberland to Lindisfarne itself. Are there any possibilities for loan or perhaps purchase elsewhere? Many thanks.

Reply
Lyndell
12/4/2022 04:30:57 pm

Hi David,
What an interesting pilgrimage. That is absolutely wonderful. I am in Australia and my little book does not have any content unfortunately.
If you contact Michael Burke (I think that he lives in the Lake District) he may be able to be of assistance. The English Bookbinders Guild may also be able to assist. Good luck and I wish you success with your pilgrimage.

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    LYNDELL DOBBS

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