Abstracts - International Initiative for Georgian Cultural Studies

(performed at the laboratory of the Tbilisi Art Academy); and photospectometral analysis of the binder—an
infrared spectrometry (performed at the STU laboratory of the Chair of Mineralogy). Further investigation
of the icon using physical-optical (radiographic) methods is necessary.
In order to investigate the binder used first the etalons were studied and then the micro fragments of the
icon itself.
Based on the result of the study, we consider that for the conservation of the icon the following methods
should be used:
Antisepticise the canvas and mechanically remove the fungi; 2) Remove the paper from the surface using
dry method; 3) Individually allocate and fix all the micro fragments during the consolidation of gesso and
painting by micro injecting organic glue under each fragment; this should be performed using binocular,
dosimeter, Teflon plates, and microspatel while fixing the painting; 4) attach of the canvas on the Japanese
paper of relevant thickness; 5) Anoxia of the board and further consolidation of especially fragile parts with
Paraloid B-72; filling the board losses with light wooden fragments; (This is also necessary for the fixation
of repousse fragments). 6) After conservation, the canvas with the painting should be attached to a board.
And, finally, to protect the icon from further damage, it is necessary to encase it in a special container
with a Plexiglas organic glass cover to ensure stable climate conditions.
Darejan Gogashvili
Tbilisi State Academy of Art Georgia. Georgia
Several Issues Relating to the Conservation of the Papyruses Kept in the National Centre of
Manuscripts
The National Centre of Manuscripts keeps approximately 160 papyrus fragments, including astrological
and medical treatises, legal documents, psalms, a variety of receipts, and fragments of epistolary and literary
texts, which range in date from the 3rd century BC to the 8th century.
In the 1950s, many of these artifacts were placed between two sheets of glass. Most of the papyruses
are fragile and brittle. The texts were executed primarily in carbon, and occasionally, in iron gall ink. This
presentation examines damages to this ink layer as well as studies the causes of such damage. There are
many instances of stratification and deformation of vertical and horizontal stripes and of fibers. Some of
the papyruses also preserve paper fragments that have been glued to them. Earth, dirt and dust can be seen
on the folio surfaces. Damage can be explained by the technologies used in producing papyrus as writing
material, the form of manuscripts (a scroll or codex) and their settings in which the papyruses were found
(their majority had been buried in earth).
Furthermore, crystals of precipitated salt can be detected on the papyruses and glass surfaces. Research
samples were prepared for salt identification. Qualitative analysis has been conducted to detect Na + , K + ,
Cu2+ , Fe2+ , Cl- 2+ SO ions. The content of natrium, potassium and copper ions was determined on an atomic
4
absorption spectrometre, Perkin Elmer 300. Potassium rhodante was used for the detection of iron ions,
2+ and silver nitrate for detection of chlorine nitrate, while the presence of SO content was determined by
4
means of BaCI Analysis has also shown the existence of natrium and chlorine ions in the solution that was
2.
studied. The precipitation of NaCI is a permanent, gradual process caused by the changing temperature and
humidity.
Relying on the findings of the research, the conclusive part of the presentation provides recommendations
on conservation measures. The state of preservation of the papyruses, the type of damages and their
causes, as well as the compatibility of conservation material and ink were taken into account while choosing
conservation methods and materials.
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RESTORATION/CONSERVATION