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What happens when a 16th century portolan chart is recycled as a protective book cover by a notary?This public lecture brings to life the story of a sixteenth-century portolan chart repurposed as a protective cover for the 1587–1601 index of the notary Giovanni Domenico Spiteri, highlighting the early modern practice of recycling obsolete manuscripts and maps within archival bindings.
This public lecture explores the chart's cartographic features, colour palette, and evidence of reuse, including contemporary doodles and annotations preserved within the index. Particular attention is given to the conservation treatment, which stabilised both the fragile portolan fragment and the bound volume while revealing valuable material evidence of its original function and subsequent adaptation. Through the combined
perspectives of codicology, cartographic history, and conservation, the paper demonstrates how recycled binding materials can offer significant insights into early modern documentary practices, material culture, and the transmission of maritime knowledge.
This lecture is being held in collaboration with the Notarial Archives Foundation.
BIO-NOTES:
Chanelle Mifsud Briffa is Head of Conservation at the Notarial Archives Foundation. In 2020, she was awarded a warrant as a book and paper conservator by the Maltese Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Malta, where her research focuses on the discoloration of 18th century documents through non-invasive techniques.
Maria Chiara Borg holds a Bachelor of Arts in History of Art from the University of Malta and a Master's degree in the Conservation of Books and Library Materials from West Dean College, UK. In 2024, she was awarded a warrant as a Book and Paper Conservator by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Malta. She currently works as a Preventive and Book and Paper Conservator at the Notarial Archives Foundation in Valletta.
The Notarial Archives Foundation
The Notarial Archives Foundation (NAF) is a voluntary organisation committed to preserving and promoting Malta’s rich documentary heritage. Founded in 2005 as the Notarial Archives Resource Council by Dr Joan Abela, it was formally established as a foundation in 2017. NAF safeguards a unique 600-year-old collection of notarial deeds housed in the Notarial Registers Archive (NRA) in Valletta, which are a vital resource for understanding Malta’s legal, social, and economic history. In July 2023, the Maltese Government officially entrusted NAF with the management of the Notarial Registers Archive, with the goal of transforming it into a centre of excellence.
Entrance is free but donations are welcome.
Access is from Archbishop Street
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Event venue
Knisja tal-Gizwiti, Triq il-Merkanti, Valletta, Malta
Tickets
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