THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONSERVATION TREATMENT APPROACH FOR ISLAMIC MINIATURES

Abstract

This paper describes the preliminary results of a study on the conservation of Islamic miniature paintings. The goal of the project is to evaluate traditional methods that are currently being used in the South Asian subcontinent, Iran and Central Asia to restore Islamic miniatures, and to explore the possibility of more appropriate treatment methods drawn from the Japanese scroll mounting tradition (Hyōgu), and from the repertoire of paper conservation techniques currently practised in the west. Information was gathered on the materials and techniques used in the production of Islamic miniature paintings, and the type of damage which they suffer. Surrogate objects prepared with traditional materials were used for testing purposes. In many cases, sophisticated techniques and equipment were not available and simple substitutes were employed, including visual assessment of test results. The project is still in progress but materials and techniques which show particular promise for the treatment of Islamic miniature paintings and manuscripts include funori (a seaweed-based adhesive) for the consolidation of flaking and friable paint layers, the ultrasonic mister for paint consolidation, the moisture chamber or dome used in association with a suction table for humidification, and the karibari (drying board) for flattening.