The Fondation Etrillard is accompanying the Fondation des Monastères in supporting the restoration of a unique illuminated manuscript, the Manuscript of the Hours for the use of Rome, preserved at the Saint-Pierre de Solesmes Abbey in the Sarthe region. Initially a modest priory for a few monks for eight centuries, Saint-Pierre de Solesmes became an influential abbey in the 19th century under the impetus of its restorer, Dom Guéranger.
These horae are an illuminated work on parchment created by Anthoine Chappiel for the workshop of Germain Hardouin in 1497. It is one of the many treasures held in the library of the Solesmes Abbey, which boasts two hundred thousand volumes – liturgical books but also history, literature, and art in general.
The work was restored by La Reliure du Limousin, a workshop created in 1950 and a training center since 1990, whose 70 artisans daily restore ancient collections to ensure the perpetuation of written heritage.
The objective was the preservation of this precious opus through its restoration and its packaging in a custom-made protective case.
The manuscript was then exhibited at the International Cultural Heritage Fair at the Carrousel du Louvre (Paris) from November 2 to 5, 2023.
This restoration was the subject of comprehensive documentation by La Reliure du Limousin. All the working stages carried out by 4 different restorers are described therein: manual unbinding, cleaning, restoration of the parchments, sewing of the leaves, crafting of a headband, creation of a new binding, and a custom conservation box.