C 6.9. Pleats

Pattern of smaller and larger pleats on the parchment.

On the surface of the parchment, especially in the case of large parchments, there are often small pleats and creases between which the flat parchment surface has survived. Pleats and creases occur more often on parchment sheets that cut out of parchment of an uneven density and thickness. The parchment sheets with the most uniform properties were obtained from the central part of young animal’s skin. The density and mechanical strength of the abdominal areas were much lower. And the characteristics of the areas around the limbs and neck/skeleton differed even more. When subsequently stored, the areas with different characteristics behave differently, as evidenced by creases and folds.