Parchment Conservation Techniques Guide
Uploaded by
Aman Kumar SinghParchment Conservation Techniques Guide
Uploaded by
Aman Kumar SinghConservation treatment of Parchment
Dr. Aman
1 Conservation Express December 2024
Parchment
Parchment is animal skin split into layers and treated but not tanned. The word
‘parchment’ derives from the name of the ancient city of Pergamon in Asia Minar in the
3rd century B.C Parchment, traditionally made from treated animal skin, has played a
relatively minor but intriguing role in Indian art. Unlike in Western cultures where
parchment was a dominant medium for manuscripts, India historically favored palm
leaves and later, paper, for writing and illustrating texts. However, the concept of
parchment—or treated surfaces for art—did find expression in specific regions and
periods of Indian art history.
In ancient India, especially before the widespread availability of paper in the 11th
century, artists and scribes explored various materials to record sacred texts, create
artworks, and preserve knowledge. While palm leaf manuscripts were prevalent in the
south and east, certain parts of northwest India, influenced by Persian and Central Asian
traditions, experimented with parchment-like materials. These were particularly used in
miniature paintings and illuminated manuscripts, especially during the Mughal period.
Mughal artists, influenced by Persian techniques, often used specially prepared vellum or
treated papers that mimicked the smooth texture of parchment. These surfaces allowed
for intricate detailing in miniature paintings, characterized by fine brushwork, vivid
colors, and gold embellishments. The quality of the surface was crucial in preserving the
vibrancy and precision of the artwork over centuries.
Additionally, in regions like Kashmir and Ladakh, where Buddhist traditions from
Central Asia intersected with Indian styles, the use of parchment or similar materials can
be seen in thangka paintings and sacred texts. These artworks were meticulously created
for religious purposes and often used high-quality, durable surfaces.
Though parchment was never a dominant material in Indian art, its influence is
evident in certain styles and periods that embraced cross-cultural exchanges. The
refinement in surface preparation and artistic technique reflects India’s adaptability and
openness to integrating foreign materials and methods into its own rich artistic heritage.
It is used as a writing material in scrolls. The sheep skin, calf and goat skin are suitable
for making parchment.
Parchment 2
Properties
Parchment is a tought, flexible organic material it consists of fibers of high molecular
weight proteins known a collagen (based on amono and parchment is hygroscopic. It
swells in cold water and dissolves and prolonged heating in water and the end product
being parchment glue or collagens glue.
Condition Assessment
3 Conservation Express December 2024
Mandate parchment conservation treatment
Corrective Treatment
Parchment 4
Challenges
Storage of parchment
Optimum climatic condition for books documents etc, made of parchment is the
following environmental condition is required:
RH - 45% - 65%
Temp - 20 - 240 C
5 Conservation Express December 2024
Restoration
Protection from Biological growth (i.e. moulds, bacteria). The parchment may be
fumigated with ethylene oxide to destroy microorganisms. Don’t use formal in solution
(40% formal dioxide)
Cleaning
Dry surface cleaning with a soft rubber eraser with great care. Parchment should not be
immersed in water. The moisture will cause the parchment to cockle and may damage
writing and painting.
Conservation of Textile
Conservation of Textile involved the following processes in succession.
Documentation
Removing the superficial dust
Strengthening the fragments
Opening the folded pieces
Parchment 6
Removing the creases, strengthening out the fragments and separating them
from the junk.
Putting the fragments in position.
Arranging them in their right places with respect to the warp and weft and
designs on them
Cleaning them
Fixing them on some strong background with an adhesive
Putting the jointed textile on a sunken mount – board for exhibition or storage.
An identification of the material is necessary before repairs and preservation are
undertaken
If materials in organic, then textile burning test is also helpful
Textile of vegetable organic (cellulosic base) give out the scorched paper and textile of
animal origin (protein base of scorched hair.
The long molecular chain in a textile accounts for its physical properties such as tensile
strength, elasticity, suppleness, resistance towards bending etc.
Ageing effect caused by temperature, variation in humidity, light and oxygen breaks this
chain, consequently the textile loses al its features and becomes brittle and can not stand
even slightest strains
Wax
It is organic material commonly known as beeswax, but other animal wax are also
obtained in nature.
Type of wax
Animal wax
beeswax 50-900 C
Shellac wax up to 35-410 C
Wool wax (Lanolin up to 35-410 C
Plant wax
Carnauba wax (ouricury 82 –880 C
wax
Sugar cane wax upto 72-760 C
Candilla wax (USA 66-770 C
7 Conservation Express December 2024
Petroleum waxs
Paraffin wax 50- 800 C
