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Arts & Communication Islamic manuscript conservation

collectors in the 20 century. These collectors often collections. While attention is disproportionately focused
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acquired individual leaves extracted from dismantled on prestigious volumes, this perspective diminishes the
manuscripts, particularly those with remarkable paintings significance of many less prominent and recently produced
or calligraphy. Consequently, while fragments of the books. Despite the minimal attention given to simpler
original works may endure, the holistic integrity of these and more recently developed production periods in the
books has been irrevocably compromised. The intricate literature, they play a pivotal role in representing diverse
histories of these books are now perpetually fragmented, book production practices. Moreover, they not only offer
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leading to a loss of their essence and context. In addition, a more extensive and accessible sample but also, due to
when books underwent alterations, repairs were their less appealing nature and recent origin, enhance
commonly undertaken using materials repurposed from the likelihood of encountering them in their original,
various sources, leading to a fusion of diverse elements unaltered format. Recognizing the importance of both
within individual manuscripts. Since the 20 century, categories is essential for a comprehensive understanding
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the acquisition of significant manuscripts by private and of book production practices over the centuries.
institutional collectors has fueled a widespread trend of
extensive rebinding. Motivated by a desire to conform Based on my experience with both Western and
to existing collection styles, these practices frequently Eastern books, it is crucial to emphasize the importance
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overlooked the documentation of original bindings and of preserving Islamic books from the 17 century onward.
structures, presenting a challenge in reconstructing ancient During this period, the adoption of faster, cost-effective
Islamic book production practices. production techniques and lower-quality materials became
widespread, making these books more susceptible to
The lack of comprehensive knowledge about Islamic damage. 6,7,10-13 These production changes can impact their
production techniques – and consequently, about functionality, underscoring the need for greater awareness.
established conservation practices – has led to widespread Educating those responsible for preserving Islamic
restoration treatments of Islamic books that often align collections is essential, with a focus on understanding and
with Western norms. This extensive approach has resulted documenting these books while prioritizing information
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in significant modifications, leading to the irreversible preservation over extensive restoration efforts. This
loss of invaluable information, including the books’ approach advocates for improved conservation policies,
characteristics, functions, and critical aspects of their urging comprehensive research across conservation and
unique creation. The ongoing challenge is to balance restoration, conservation sciences, and art history.
conservation efforts with the preservation of the historical
evidence inherent in these artifacts. 2. Fostering a collective vision for the
Until the mid-20 century, scholarly studies primarily preservation of Islamic manuscripts
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focused on paleography and decorative styles in While several groups have already adopted a comprehensive
illuminations and bindings. However, this narrow approach approach to examining and preserving historical Islamic
hindered a comprehensive understanding of these objects.
While manuscripts may appear similar across different manuscripts, there is a pressing need to extend this
regions and periods due to prevailing trends, they rarely methodology to encompass all individuals engaged in
share identical material and technical features. 1-4 preserving these invaluable artifacts. This paper aims to
raise awareness and heighten sensitivity regarding the
This implies that, even if decorative elements can be urgent necessity of implementing transformative changes
imitated, the actual technical methods and materials used in the conservation and preservation of manuscripts.
to achieve these results differ across regions – details that The central argument underscores the current tendency
are not immediately apparent and beyond the grasp of to concentrate primarily on reparative measures aimed
simple visual observation. Since then, some authors have at prolonging the lifespan of these objects. However,
undertaken studies to comprehend the global landscape interventions seemingly directed toward restoration may
of Islamic manuscript production from scientific and inadvertently compromise the intrinsic historical evidence
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technical perspectives. Despite the increasing fruitfulness embedded in these artifacts. Consequently, there is a
of these studies, the results obtained thus far remain limited potential risk of diminishing the material, cultural, and
in both number and representativeness. historical value encapsulated within these manuscripts.
The current emphasis on research concerning historic The overarching goal is to advocate for a paradigm shift
Islamic manuscript production is particularly evident, in the conservation of Islamic manuscripts, moving from
focusing mainly on books regarded as ancient cultural conventional repair-oriented methodologies to a more
treasures housed in museums, libraries, and private nuanced and sensitive strategy. This strategy should

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 2 doi: 10.36922/ac.3205