Technical Study, Laboratory Investigations, and Damage Assessment of the Stucco ‎Inscription of Aq Qaleh ‎ Mosque in Sabzevar and Its Conservation and Restoration

Bater, Masoud; Rastin, Mahbobeh

doi:‌10.66224/kcr.8.3.16

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Hefazat va Maremat

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Volume 8, Issue 3 (11-2025) KCR 2025, 8(3): 16-47 | Back to browse issues page

‎ ‌10.66224/kcr.8.3.16

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Bater M, Rastin M. Technical Study, Laboratory Investigations, and Damage Assessment of the Stucco ‎Inscription of Aq Qaleh ‎ Mosque in Sabzevar and Its Conservation and Restoration. KCR 2025; 8 (3) :16-47
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/kcr/article-1-395-en.html

Technical Study, Laboratory Investigations, and Damage Assessment of the Stucco ‎Inscription of Aq Qaleh ‎ Mosque in Sabzevar and Its Conservation and Restoration

Masoud Bater ^*

, Mahbobeh Rastin

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Art, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran. ‎

Abstract: (14 Views)

The stucco inscription of Aq Qaleh ‎ Mosque in Neqab, Sabzevar, represents one of the most significant Ilkhanid architectural ornaments in eastern Iran, distinguished by its artistic, historical, and technological value. This study aims to identify the construction and execution techniques, diagnose patterns of deterioration, conduct laboratory analyses, and develop a scientifically grounded approach for the conservation and restoration of the inscription. Initially, field surveys and imaging techniques were employed to document the overall condition of the monument, including its structural characteristics, paint layers, stucco carving, and decorative elements. Subsequently, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses were performed to determine the mineralogical structure and chemical composition of the pigments, indicating the use of natural mineral colorants such as red ochre and ultramarine. The diagnostic phase identified multiple deterioration factors, including damage caused by moisture, thermal fluctuations, structural stresses, chemical and biological agents, and inappropriate earlier interventions. Based on these findings, the restoration process comprised cleaning, consolidation, reconstruction of missing decorative and inscriptional elements, chromatic reintegration, and final stabilization, all carried out in accordance with the principles of reversibility, Limited intervention and compatibility in appearance. In addition, a set of preventive ‎conservation measures aimed at ensuring preservation for an extended period was ‎proposed, encompassing environmental control, the installation of protective barriers, staff training, and the mitigation of structural moisture. What distinguishes this research from previous studies on Ilkhanid stucco conservation is the integrated application of advanced laboratory analyses and in situ diagnostic investigations to develop a coherent, tailored conservation framework for polychrome stucco inscriptions, an approach that has not been systematically articulated within previous studies of eastern Iranian architectural ornamentation.

Keywords: Conservation, Restoration, Stucco Inscription, Aq Qaleh ‎ Mosque, Neqab, Sabzevar, Material Analysis, Damage Assessment, Ilkhanid Period.

Type of Study: Research, Original, Regular | Subject: Conservation and restoration of historical-cultural architectural objects and decorations.
Received: 2025/10/9 | Accepted: 2026/01/20 | Published: 2025/11/30

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