Endbands in Greek-style bindings

Abstract

Summary This article examines the presence and role of endbands in Greek-style bindings based on the author's research in two outstanding monastic book collections, Iviron Monastery in Mount Athos and St Catherine's Monastery in Sinai. The meagre iconographical and literary sources on endbands are mentioned and the aesthetic and functional aspects of endbands are explained. To enable consistent description of endbands, a classification system is proposed based on the distinction between simple/compound endbands, primary/secondary sewing, presence/absence of cores, and techniques of construction such as sewing, weaving, or a combination of both. a statistical analysis follows, based on a sample of 283 Greek-style bindings dated between the late fifteenth and early eighteenth centuries. The major changes in the use and construction of endbands in this sample are described and the substitution of Greek-style technique by Western European practice is detailed.