Nag Hammadi Codex

 Registration is closed for this event

July 30th, 2016 9:30 AM

  • Instructor: Michael Burke
  • Workshop Type: Binding
  • Workshop Status: Closed
  • Workshop Start: July 30th, 2016 9:30 AM
  • Workshop End: July 31st, 2016 5:30 PM
  • Sessions: 2

The Nag Hammadi codices take their name from the Egyptian village where, in 1945, a clay pot containing thirteen ancient books was discovered. They are the earliest extant codex bindings ever found, and were uncovered in remarkably good condition. This workshop will lead you through the making of a codex bearing all the characteristic features of these early book structures. We will construct a sympathetic facsimile of the Nag Hammadi codex, and experience the structure and form of ancient bookbinding. We will make our version of this third century book from a textblock of folded papyrus, bound together with knotted leather tackets on a leather spine piece and covered in boards stiffened by layers of papyrus. The boards have leather edging strips, and the book is covered in hand-dyed North African goatskin. It is held closed with beautiful leather ties and wrapping bands, which are integrated to the cover using a delicate slotting and lacing technique.


Materials to Bring: Metal tweezers; scapel, if preferred over utility knife.

Optional and available at SFCB for student use: bone folder, awl, utility knife, metal ruler, self-healing cutting mat, paste brush, dividers, Japanese hole punch.

 

Workshop + Materials Fee: $350.00

Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday, July 30 & 31, 2016 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Note: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.


About the Instructor | MIchael Burke

Michael Burke studied bookbinding with Dominic Riley and paper conservation with Karen Zukor. Michael lives in the Lake District, England, where he teaches bookbinding as well at events across the UK. He is a past chair of the North West and North Wales region of SoB. He has taught for diverse book arts groups in the USA, including Los Angeles, Seattle and Salt Lake City. In recent years he has taught at the Paper and Book Intensive, travelled to São Paulo to teach for the Brazilian group ABER, and in 2011 presented Byzantine binding at the Seminar of the Guild of Bookworkers. Michael researches the structures of ancient and medieval bindings. He is currently studying for a Masters degree in the History of the Book at the University of London.


Past Student Reviews:

"As always taking a class with MIchael is enjoyable, He is calm and very organized.”

“Michael not only  is very organized, he presents instructions with ease and make students feel comfortable. Love is sense of humor.”

"Michael is a great teacher and the process was great fun."