Saturday & Sunday, 7/14 & 7/15
9:30am-5:30pm

The Nag Hammadi codices take their name from the Egyptian village where, in 1945, a clay pot containing 13 ancient books was discovered. These books are the earliest extant codex bindings ever found—1800 years old—and were found in remarkably good condition.

In this workshop, master bookbinder Michael Burke will lead students through the making of a codex bearing the characteristic features of these early book structures. He will show students how to 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 3rd century codex from a textblock of folded papyrus. The textblock will be bound together with knotted leather tackets on a leather spine piece and covered in boards stiffened by layers of papyrus. The boards will have leather edging strips. The structure will then be covered with hand-dyed North African goatskin. The book is held closed with leather ties and wrapping bands, which are integrated to the cover using a delicate slotting and lacing technique.

Materials to bring: Scalpel and blades; metal ruler; dividers; bone folder; scissors; cutting mat; paring knife; natural sponge. Please bring (only if you already have, otherwise provided): paring machine; paring knife and strop.

Materials Fee: $50