ABSTRACT

An eighteenth-century transcription of the Qur’anic text, originating from Istanbul but now housed at the Mesudija Library in Bosnia and Herzegovina, underwent a series of analyses prior to conservation. The artefact characterization included preliminary analyses accompanied by microscopy such as determination of the fiber composition, paper typology, and microchemical tests. The acidity status of the paper was established by measuring the pH, and proteins of the sizing material were confirmed by employing thin layer chromatography. Foxing stains were examined by UV fluorescence and optical microscopy. Selected pigments of the illumination, the black ink, and the gilded book cover were examined using X-ray fluorescence. The identity of pigments was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate that this lavishly illuminated manuscript was created by choosing the finest and least deteriorating materials of its time including carbon-based ink, gold for illumination, lignin-free paper, and protective layers consisting of egg white, alum, and starch. Collectively, these findings provided valuable guidelines for the conservation processes of this manuscript.

摘要

一份 18 世纪的古兰经抄本源自伊斯坦布尔，现收藏于波斯尼亚和黑塞哥维那的 Mesudija 图书馆，在保存前经过了一系列分析。人工制品表征包括伴随显微镜检查的初步分析，例如纤维成分的测定、纸张类型和微化学测试。通过测量 pH 值确定纸张的酸度状态，并通过采用薄层色谱法确认施胶材料的蛋白质。通过紫外荧光和光学显微镜检查 Foxing 污渍。使用 X 射线荧光检查照明、黑色墨水和镀金书籍封面的选定颜料。通过傅里叶变换红外光谱确认颜料的身份。所获得的结果表明，这份光彩照人的手稿是通过选择当时最好的和最不劣化的材料制成的，包括碳基墨水、照明用金、无木质素纸和由蛋清、明矾和淀粉组成的保护层。总的来说，这些发现为这份手稿的保护过程提供了宝贵的指导。