Vellum
Miniature on vellum, around 1350
Vellum (French: vélin ; from Latin vitulus , calf) is a fine type of parchment (Latin levior membrana ) that is obtained from the skin of calves and calves fetuses . Vellum is more expensive and more resistant to light than other types of parchment and was used for high quality manuscripts as well as in painting.
In the 14th century a particularly high quality pergamenum abortivum was probably made from stillborn calves.
Some of the high medieval books of hours were written and painted on vellum.
literature
- Gabriel Peignot: Essai sur l'histoire du parchemin et du vélin , Renouard, Paris 1812, pp. 28f , 57 (French)