The Craftsman’s Ledger – Woodworking Traditions of Transylvania

This illustrated ledger, dating from 1880–1905, chronicles the craftsmanship of Transylvanian woodworkers — their tools, apprenticeships, and artistic signatures. Containing over 150 sketches and annotated diagrams, the ledger was recovered from a disused guild hall in Cluj-Napoca. The drawings depict ornate furniture motifs and construction methods that later disappeared under industrial production. Ancestra restored the volume as part of The Lost Archives Restoration program. This piece stands as a bridge between maker and historian — an artifact that turns practical knowledge into cultural art.