RECTO VERSO

02/06/202418/01/2026

Traditional Books in Oriental Asia

Naples, May 2024 — On May 28 and 29, 2024, the University of Naples “L’Orientale” hosted a seminar entitled “The Traditional Book in Premodern East Asia” at Palazzo Corigliano. The program of the seminar is reported below.

The seminar was organized by three professors from the Department of Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean:

Prof. Antonio Manieri (Japanologist)
Prof. Kim Wi Seon (Korean studies specialist)
Prof. Emanuele Raini (Sinologist)

On the first day of the seminar, Federica Olivotto, a librarian and Sinologist, and I were invited to participate. Together we delivered two in-depth lectures on the raw materials and structures of the traditional book in East Asia.

traditional books — Photo credit ®Emanuele Raini

The second day featured the participation of Akiyama Nobushige, a master papermaker and artist, who provided the students with a demonstration of the Japanese papermaking process. He explained the meticulous work of the papermaker through its various stages, from the harvesting of the stalks, to the boiling and beating of the fibers, and finally to the formation of the sheet, resulting in high-quality paper.

The seminar concluded with a lecture on cataloguing given by Stefania Castanò, followed by a visit to the University library with Antonella Muratgia to explore its rare and special collections.

07/05/202318/01/2026

New Approaches to the Conservation of Tibetan Books

Copenhagen, April 2023 — From April 19 to 21, 2023, the University of Copenhagen hosted the 19th Seminar on the Care and Conservation of Manuscripts. The event brought together colleagues from all over the world – conservators, researchers, and students – united by a shared interest in a field that is as broad as it is complex. The programme included presentations on codicological studies, diagnostic analyses, and innovations in the field of conservation and restoration.

On this occasion, together with the Tibetologist Dr. Michela Clemente, Federica Delia presented a research project to which they have been jointly and passionately devoted for several years.

The presentation illustrated the search for new approaches to the restoration of Tibetan books. In particular, the project focuses on two fragmentary manuscripts from the Tucci Tibetan collection preserved at the IsIAO Library. The collection is housed in the African and Oriental Collections Room of the National Central Library of Rome (BNCR), and its management is entrusted to the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO).

The collaboration of Dr. Filippo Lunardo, a researcher at Sapienza University of Rome and an expert in the history of Tibetan art, is invaluable for the study of the miniatures. Dr. Mauro Missori, a physicist at the National Research Council (CNR) and Sapienza University of Rome, coordinates the diagnostic analyses of the two manuscripts. The project is supervised by Silvia Sotgiu, Head of Conservation at the BNCR.

Federica and Michela undertook the research with the aim of identifying the raw materials used. Subsequently, they selected specific Himalayan fibres and began experimental work on the production of paper to be used in the restoration of Tibetan books. The experimentation is being carried out at the laboratory of the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome. The manual papermaking process involves two specialists in paper technology: Elena Bordacconi and Giacomo Mafrici.

26/01/202318/01/2026

Our first intern

Rome, January 2022 — Starting from this week until the beginning of March we are happy to host at the studio Elena Gómez García, our first intern.

Elena is studying Painting in Spain at the Universitat Politècnica de Valencia and she is going to graduate in a few months. In 2022 Elena travelled to Italy as Erasmus student for a semester at the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome. There she attended among others the course on Paper Conservation held by Federica Delia.

Careful and curious, we are sure that through this internship Elena will be able to enrich her knowledge on conservation. She will carry out restoration treatments applying the information acquired during her studies and will briefly experience working in private practice.

Welcome and good luck with your work, Elena!

17/07/202218/01/2026

The Conservation of Tibetan Books

Prague, July 2022 — After two years of pandemic finally we begin to travel again. The occasion is to present Federica Delia’s recent research on the Himalayan paper and the conservation of Tibetan books.
From the 3rd to the 9th of July 2022 the International Association for Tibetan Studies chooses the capital city of Czech Republic to host its 16th Seminar. It is a meeting of hundreds of professionals researching around Tibet and its millennial culture. A whole week of discussion, talks and social events on the topic.
So, it’s time to return to Prague!

The decided to participate to the Seminar has the aim to present Federica’s analysis on the conservation of Tibetan books carried out in the past and more recently in the West.
Based on case studies from the Tucci Tibetan Collection belonging to the IsIAO Library, she offered an overview on the history and development of the conservation field. She also shared questions and thoughts on methods and materials usually employed on Tibetan books in pothi format.
Federica’s presentation was particularly focused on the knowledge and awareness that a Western conservator should gain to be able to operate with full respect on these precious artifacts. Where is the limit? How can we conserve Tibetan books with no risk of compromising their history or committing a violation of their sacredness?

With no claim to be exhaustive, Federica Delia hopes that her little contribution can start a fruitful debate on the topic. With this aim she is happy to share ideas and experiences with other colleagues to improve the practice.
So, anyone involved in the conservation of Tibetan books and interested in joining the discussion, can write her at federica.delia@rectoversolab.it.

A spot of the castle from Charles Bridge.

28/12/202018/01/2026

The Oriental Collection of the Italian Geographical Society

Rome, December 2020 — On the occasion of the exhibition “The Oriental Collection of the Italian Geographical Society: A Heritage to Be Known, Preserved, and Enhanced,” conservation treatment made it possible to display a seventeenth-century Ottoman document and two early nineteenth-century Japanese volumes, all of which were in poor condition.

The Vocabulary of the Ainu Language, relating to the indigenous people of the island of Hokkaido, and the Ottoman Firman offer a glimpse of the vast heritage preserved by the Italian Geographical Society at Palazzetto Mattei. These works are testimonies to cultures distant in time and space, conveying a style and aesthetic that are characteristic and representative of the identity of a people and of past eras.

The Firman is an expression of the Ottoman Empire and its sultan, featuring decorative elements in gold and pigments, refined Arabic calligraphy, and laid paper, possibly imported from the West. The two volumes of the Ainu Vocabulary, bound with a silk thread that passes through the indigo-dyed covers and all the thin folded pocket pages, are examples of Japanese book art.

The Ottoman Firman, year 1039 of the Hijra (1629 CE)

Exhibitions such as that of the Oriental Collection of the Italian Geographical Society often face the challenge of having to undertake the restoration of some of the items to be displayed. Indeed, exhibition can place stress on artifacts, especially those in a fragile state of conservation. In such cases, conservation treatment becomes a necessary step, restoring to these remarkable objects both their dignity and their functionality.

02/05/201918/01/2026

Mission to Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, February 2019 — Just before the beginning of spring, Federica Delia undertook a mission to Ethiopia. The aim of the visit was to assess the state of conservation of several important book collections and to meet the individuals responsible for their preservation and protection.

The trip also provided an opportunity to engage with local communities on their culture, history, and traditional crafts, as well as to exchange knowledge and information. It proved to be a highly constructive experience, laying the groundwork for a future and fruitful collaboration.

25/04/201818/01/2026

Arabic Calligraphy with Amjed Rifaie

Rome, April 2018 — On April 21st, at the Italian Geographical Society, in collaboration with the Iraqi Embassy in Rome, my colleagues and I organized a one-day workshop on Arabic calligraphy with Amjed Rifaie. Originally from Tikrit, Iraq, he is a calligrapher who has been based in Rome for almost ten years.

The workshop took place in the peaceful setting of the Society’s historic library, housed in a sixteenth-century building in the heart of Villa Celimontana, not far from the Colosseum.

Twelve participants attended the Arabic calligraphy workshop with Amjed Rifaie, during which they learned about the history of Arabic calligraphy, its different styles, and the fundamentals of the technique.

Demonstrating the use of the qalam, Amjed explained how to draw the letters according to the rules of this fascinating, centuries-old art form. Music accompanied the session, helping participants to concentrate and to try their hand at this challenging practice. During the lunch break, they were also able to enjoy delicious Arabic dishes prepared by Iraqi chef Waqar Younus.

06/10/201719/01/2026

Identification and Preservation of Digital Prints

Tallinn, September 2017 — The Estonian Photographic Heritage Society (EPHS) and the Art Museum of Estonia organized a workshop on Identification and Preservation of Digital Prints, held at the Kumu Art Museum and led by Martin Jürgens from September 27 to 29.

The workshop provided an introduction to the history, materials, and techniques of digital printing. Samples produced using different printing techniques were presented and analyzed under a microscope. The participants then examined and discussed deterioration processes, along with preservation strategies for handling, mounting, and storing the materials in the most appropriate manner.

By using magnification and various illumination techniques, I was able to practice identifying the main families of digital prints, particularly electrophotography, digital exposure onto photographic materials, thermal processes, and inkjet printing.

The workshop on Identification and Preservation of Digital Prints was also an opportunity to meet colleagues working in photographic conservation from northeastern European countries such as Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as to visit the beautiful city of Tallinn during the Estonian Photographic Art Fair, which featured a rich program of exhibitions and talks in the Telliskivi district.

18/07/201719/01/2026

The Conservation of Byobu

Berlin, July 2017 — Last week I was in Berlin again. After almost three years, I returned to attend a workshop on the conservation of byōbu Japanese folding screens at the Museum für Asiatische Kunst in Dahlem.

Once again, I had the opportunity to meet my teachers from Japan as well as colleagues from all over the world. During the week, I learned about complex objects such as byōbu and the traditional techniques used to construct and restore them. It was, once more, a wonderful and valuable experience for both my professional and personal growth.

This five-day workshop on the conservation of byōbu is intended for conservators and restorers who already have an advanced knowledge of Japanese conservation and restoration techniques. Applicants are required to have previously attended either the course “Basics of Japanese Paper and Silk Conservation” or similar workshops organized by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, such as the JPC program.

Participants learn the fundamental techniques of Japanese paper conservation, the structure of Japanese screens such as byōbu (folding screens), and methods for analyzing damage to these objects through hands-on practical work conducted under the guidance of Japanese specialists.

In the photographs: moments from the workshops; life in Berlin.

05/06/201718/01/2026

The Museum of Islamic Art of Qatar

Doha, July 2017 — I have just returned from my trip to Qatar, my second visit to Doha.

After ten years, I visited the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar this summer, where I worked in 2007 as a paper conservator. It was one of the most challenging experiences of my life and certainly the most rewarding in terms of what I learned about the world.

At that time, the museum was still under construction and existed only as an empty space. Today, I was finally able to see it open to the public.

In the photographs: the dome of the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar as seen from the inside; a view of the city skyline from the museum terrace; and myself in front of the museum entrance.