Parchment – genuine whole animal hide
The recording medium of the past
We owe much of our present-day knowledge of the past to chroniclers from Antiquity to the late Middle Ages. They wrote their chronicles on durable parchment and leather. In contrast to fragile papyrus, parchment is made from animal hides (leather). The oldest datable parchment finds are debated; however, finds from around 2700 BC in Egypt are undisputed. Precious manuscripts and texts are preserved on this valuable material of antiquity. It was, and still is today, made from the skins of calves, cattle, sheep, and goats. These hides were cleaned and processed. The value of parchment is shown by the fact that it was reused—texts were simply scraped off.
Parchment: the versatile all-rounder
For many centuries, parchment was a sought-after trade good as a writing material. But it was used not only for writing: it also served as a translucent windbreak in window openings, for drumheads, and as a covering for shields, whose wood often splintered under sword blows. To this day, it is used in the manufacture of wooden prostheses.
- 6 edge and center pieces, irregularly cut, various sizes
- Great demonstration and teaching material
- each piece differs due to natural variations
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cleaned and sanded on one side
- approx. 1–3 mm thick
Natural hide – unique manufacture
With these parchments, the shape is somewhat more irregular, and the parchment may show small holes along the edges. The parchment edges are sometimes trimmed with a knife and/or show irregular coloration.
One of the oldest materials for writing
The oldest parchment finds are dated by archaeologists to 2700 BC in Egypt.
Only toward the end of the Middle Ages was parchment finally replaced by cheaper paper and thus became a luxury writing material.
The great advantage of parchment over other materials lies in its long durability and the fact that it can be reused multiple times. By scraping off older writing with a pumice stone or a penknife, the surface becomes clean again.
Parchment consists of an animal hide, generally from goat, from which hair and residual flesh are removed using limewater and scraping knives. Unlike leather, parchment is not tanned and therefore remains translucent.
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FAQs – Product questions!
Can you write on this parchment – and with what?
Yes, the cleaned, sanded on one side parchment is ideal for calligraphy and historical writing exercises. Use a quill (goose quill or metal nib) with soot-based or iron gall ink, and test the ink on a small area first.
How does parchment differ from leather?
Parchment is untanned animal hide, making it firm, durable, and partly translucent—ideal as a historical writing material. Leather is tanned, softer, and less suitable for writing.
What sizes and properties do the supplied pieces have?
You will receive 6 edge and center pieces made of genuine animal hide, irregularly cut and in different sizes, approx. 1–3 mm thick. Due to their natural origin, edges may show small holes, cut edges, or slight color nuances—each piece is one of a kind.
What is the parchment suitable for in classes and projects?
Perfect as teaching material for Antiquity and the Middle Ages, paleography, calligraphy, and source studies. Ideal for lively history lessons, museum and workshop projects, as well as replicas of historical documents.
How should I store and care for parchment properly?
Store parchment flat, cool, and dry, protected from direct sunlight and high humidity. Interleaving with acid-free paper and light weighting helps prevent rippling.
