From skin to leather, from leather to saddle

thur posterAuthor: Ema Thür
Mentors: Sanja Serhatlić, Assistant Professor; Tea Borovina, MA, Expert Associate

Department of Art and Restoration, University of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
Study programme: Second-Cycle Master’s Programme of Study in Conservation-Restoration
Specialization: Conservation-restoration of paper (graduated in 2020/2021)

Abstract
Due to its easy availability, leather is a common material of various artefacts, both for utilitarian and aesthetic purposes. As a material, it is extremely flexible, elastic, but strong and pliable due to its collagen structure. Accordingly, the way of tanning, processing and decorating it differs greatly. Therefore, it is crucial to know the used materials and tools because these factors affect collagen structure, sometimes significantly changing its properties. The importance and influence of literature research, preliminary testing of material, selection of conservation and restoration methods and selection of microclimatic storage conditions are explained for the example of conservation and restoration treatment of a leather saddle.

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THUR Ema mShort biography
EMA THÜR was born in Zagreb on February 26, 1998. After graduating Catholic Classical Gymnasium in Požega, she enrolled at the University of Dubrovnik, in the Department for Conservation and Restoration of paper. During education, she attended internship programme in Florence (Palazzo Spinelli) for four weeks, Erasmus+ internship programme in Antwerp (University of Antwerp) for four months and 360 hours at Croatian Conservation Institute and at private workshop Kustoda. In the academic year of 2019/2020, she has received the rector’s award for the artistic and scientific achievements for article Preventive preservation of leather and parchment objects in archival and museum collections, written in collaboration with Sanja Serhatlić.