Paper Conservation: Decisions & Compromises

A Study of Dyed Endpapers during Islamic Mediaeval Times in Egypt:
Purpose, Materials and Techniques
Hassan Ebeid | Jean Brown | Ysanne Holt | Brian Singer
Conservation Department, Northumbria University, UK / South Valley University, Egypt
The research investigates the use of yellow natural
dyes in Egyptian book manuscripts endpapers
and their historic sources. It aims to explore
whether the traditionally used yellow natural
dyes in Arabic endpapers were selected for their
colour and for their biocidal properties. The
project investigates if bookbinders were knowledgeable
of these properties and tries to find out
how effective these dyes actually are as biocidal
agents.
Interdisciplinary methodologies are used and
include 1.The translation of an unpublished
Islamic treatise. 2. The use of HPLC for identification
of the dyes in three samples. 3. Testing of
the antibacterial properties of turmeric, weld,
safflower and saffron against three strains of
bacteria that have been identified in an Egyptian
museum. Turmeric, weld, safflower and saffron
were the most commonly used sources of yellow
colour during the medieval Islamic period in
Egypt. It seems very likely that these four dyes
have some useful biocidal properties, which is
supported by a laboratory microbial study. Weld
(Reseda lateola) has been identified in three historic
paper samples by simultaneous detection of
Luteolin and Apigenin by using HPLC.
Fig. 1: Undyed and dyed paper gathering from a Quran (folios 225mm x
155mm), Mamluk period, fifteenth century, Oriental Institute, Chicago
(Bosch and Petherbridge 1981: 39)
1. Introduction
In the Islamic mediaeval era, scribes and calligraphers
showed a particular interest for coloured
papers and many stunning examples and illustrations
of their works have survived in museums
and galleries around the world (Fig. 1) (Bosch and
Petherbridge 1981: 133).
There are many reasons for colouring papers.
Probably the artistic appeal could be considered
one of these reasons. Moreover, writing on coloured
paper could be for health reasons (Minorsky
1959, p.113). Interestingly, coloured papers
could have a symbolic significance. For example,
a full red colour was considered as privilege in
official correspondence of persons of high rank.
For instance, al-Qalqashandi, a fourteenth century
Egyptian scribe mentioned that official correspondence
between the sultan in Egypt and only
his two vices for Karak - a city in Jordan famous
for its castle – and for Syria were usually written
on red papers (al-Qalqashandi 2004, vol.6, p.193).
Paper colouring was thought to be used with the
intention of protecting paper from bio-deterioration
factors as this was previously employed in
China in the tenth century AD, when paper was
immersed in a solution of phellodendon, an extract
yellow dye from Amur cork tree (Gibbs and
Seddon 1998), or immersed in a solution of pepper
(Piper nigrum) (Zhong 1988).
This work seeks to address significant gaps in
technical and historical knowledge about Islamic
endpaper dyes and will contribute novel information
from previously untranslated Islamic treatises.
Further, findings will inform the conservation
and preservation practices with regard to book
artefacts and help historians learn more about
the preparation and techniques used in historic
dyes manufacturer.
ICOM-CC Graphic Documents Working Group Interim Meeting | Vienna 17 – 19 April 2013
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