Knowledge of Conservation and Restoration

Identifying the Structure of Pigments Used in the Context of Five Manuscripts Related to Safavid Period

Masoud Bagherzadeh Kasiri

Studying various aspects of the manuscripts may be important in explaining the actual values of work, and the ways of protecting these values. Therefore, in this research 10 paint samples (blue and red) from the five manuscripts related to Safavid period (16th century) were analyzed to explore their nature and structure. First, the related literature regarding the frequent types of the paints in Safavid period and their preparing recipe were thoroughly reviewed. Then, after sampling of the paints, the analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to identify red and blue pigments structure. Obtained results confirmed that all the used red and blue pigments in these five manuscripts were of mineral origin. Moreover, the results proved that all of the red pigments used in this manuscript were of vermilion, ocher and red lead (Lead oxide), while the blue pigments are of ultramarine type. Also, the strong peak of FTIR at 2340 cm-1 proved that the ultramarine pigment used is of natural type.

Studying the Mechanism of Creation of Blue and White Underglaze Tiles of Shah Hamzeh's Mausoleum in Qom

The Shah Hamzeh mausoleum, located in the city of Qom, is a monument from the Safavid period. The eastern porch of this monument was decorated blue and white tiles during the Qajar period. The aim of this article is to introduce the historical monument of Shah Hamzeh and its decorations. In this regard, a sample of the blue and white tiles of the monument was technologically examined using library studies, optical and digital microscope methods, and SEM-EDX and XRD methods. Based on the studies conducted, the paint layer was applied directly to the stone body without a preparatory layer, and then a glass layer was applied on it.
The Shah Hamzeh mausoleum, located in the city of Qom, is a monument from the Safavid period. The eastern porch of this monument was decorated blue and white tiles during the Qajar period. The aim of this article is to introduce the historical monument of Shah Hamzeh and its decorations. In this regard, a sample of the blue and white tiles of the monument was technologically examined using library studies, optical and digital microscope methods, and SEM-EDX and XRD methods. Based on the studies conducted, the paint layer was applied directly to the stone body without a preparatory layer, and then a glass layer was applied on it.

Fading and Silver Mirroring in a Dry Plate Glass Negative

Hossein Beygi

Dry plate glass negatives are important part of the cultural, historical and visual heritage in history of Iran. Structural changes due to factors affected them over time, can cause deterioration in the image. Identifying deteriorations in dry plate glass negatives can help to provide better solutions in preserving them. The investigation of sample by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray microprobe analyzer (XPMA) indicated that the technique of sample is gelatin and silver halide on glass, and the chemical damages are fading and silver mirroring. Improper washing after fixing and residual of hypo on the surface of image is the main cause of fading. The formation of the silver mirroring is due to the oxidation of silver ions in the emulsion layer and migrate to the surface of the negative.

Technological and Corrosion Studies of BronzeObjects Excavatedin Bam World Heritage Site

Narges Doosti sani

The study of metal works of Bam citadel (Arg-e-Bam) is underway to study the pathology of metalworks in Iran.The aim of this project is to study and investigate the corrosion mechanisms of metal objects. Various metallic works including iron, silver and copper alloys have been gained from the area of Arg-e-Bam. The research is focused on a number of bronze works of this historical site.The studies have been done using Microscopic and Macroscopic methods including metallography, wet chemistry, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). According to dendritic structure of these objects, the results show that most of them have been made in casting method and corrosion products are including Cuprite (Cu₂O), Azurite (Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂), Brochantite (Cu₄(OH)₆SO₄), Cassiterite (SnO) and the chloride compounds like Atacamite (Cu₂Cl(OH)₃), Paratacamite (Cu₂Cl(OH)₃, Nantokite (CuCl) and Melanothallite (Cu₂OCl₂). The noticeable point is that there are inclusions containing iron and sulfur in all specimens that represent the using of sulfide ore in copper extraction process.

Gold in Decorative Motif of Qajar Quran: Identifying Golden Color in Five Quran Manuscript in National Quran Museum

fezeh Rahimi

Many literatures have been published about decorative motif and the colors used in these motifs in manuscripts. These studies can be suitable sources for more information about such decorations; still more accurate studies are necessary in the field of identifying the applied pigments in order to have a better understanding of historical objects. The applications of gold in decorative motif of manuscripts is what this study has focused on, in some similar dated works. Many specialists have reported the golden color as gold in catalogs and property IDs and with regard to this point that using gold in historical works and objects of Islamic period was restricted, this question arises whether gold was restricted to be used in Quran manuscripts; Or if other materials were used instead. This research aims to study golden color used in Quran manuscripts of Qajar era in order to determine what material has been used in such valuable works.
Five samples of golden parts were taken from five gilded and inlayed manuscripts recorded in the List of National Works. These works are being kept in National Museum of Quran. To achieve our purpose we have used Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). We discovered that gold was used as pigment in golden decorations of our case studies.

Decay factors and patterns of stones in open-air historical sites built of carbonate sedimentary stones

Atefeh Shekofteh

The number of historical open-air sites built of stone are relatively limited in comparison to the other historical artificial in Iran, but these sites include great significance in terms of value, historic and their knowledge of past. Since these stone poen-air sites are generally about two thousand years old, they have been exposed to decay factors for a long time. Many information and data on the types of decay factores and their patterns are scattered in the articles and books generally available in English which their access to experts in the field of conservation and restoration is limited. In this study, we attempted, through purposeful data from research on the open-air sites and monuments, to effectively address all aspects of the deterioration of carbonate sedimentary stones which constitute the majority of Iran’s sites. In this way, using library references, environmental factors and common decay patterns in similar climate and industrial conditions are discussed. It has become clear from studies that, contrary to the impression, “environmental factors” are not only the factors in the deterioration of sedimentary stones, but also the physical and chemical properties of the stone (Intrinsic problems) are also very important in the term of decay. Among the chemical and physical decay factors, chemical factors in deterioration are more important because the lead to the dissolution or alteration of the nature of the stone.

Comparative study of decorations in Hosseiniyeh-Shiraz schools and schools during the Qajar period (Case study: Hosseiniyeh Qavam, Hosseiniyeh Moshir, Moghimiyeh School, Nezamiyeh School)

neda mohammadi

Beauty has always been considered as one of the most important dimensions of art and architecture throughout history, and real decoration has also been used as one of the methods of creating beauty in Iranian architecture. Despite the possibility of reaching human written opinions about beauty and decoration, opinions about the philosophy and criterion of the origin of beauty are expressed differently. Decorating in Islamic art is one of the most important and most effective unifying elements. Decoration in Islamic architecture and art, especially in schools, has a special role. This paper tries to analyze the adaptive decorations of Husaynya-school and traditional schools of Shiraz during Qajar period using a descriptive-analytical method and with library and field studies. The study of Husayn-Moshir and Qavam School and Moghimiyeh and Nezamiyeh schools have been analyzed. Research findings show that Husseinieh inscriptions - Qajar schools differ in terms of themes from Qajar schools, but there are no significant differences in other decorations.