Restoration of the hanging wax seals of the royal privileges of amortisation of the Holy Church Metropolitan Cathedral of Valencia.

Abstract

This research focuses on the historical-technical analysis and restoration of the hanging wax seals belonging to two books of Royal Privileges of Amortisation of the Holy Church Metropolitan
Cathedral of Valencia, dating from the XIV to the XVII century. The aim of the study, in addition to the identification of the seals, is to identify the different materials that they are made of, with the aim of being able to carry out the appropriate conservation and restoration measures. Based on the results obtained from the analyses, and following a series of tests carried out with different materials, the most suitable option for the restoration of the seals was determined. This study and the subsequent intervention were presented in the practical part of a presential course organised by the Valencian Institute of Conservation, Restoration and Research with the title Introduction to sigillography, seals and their conservation and restoration, with the collaboration of the University of Valencia and Valencia Cathedral, in November 2022.