Identification of pigments used in a Qajar manuscript from Iran by using atomic and molecular spectroscopy and technical photography methods

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify pigments used in writing and decorating a Qur'an manuscript related to the early years of the Qajar era, a royal dynasty ruling over Iran from 1789 to 1925. The pigments were analysed using µ-XRF, SEM–EDS, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy. Also, various technical photography methods were used to study the pigments including visible-reflected (VIS), infrared photography (IR), ultraviolet-reflected (UVR), and ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence (UVL) along with infrared false color (IRFC) and ultraviolet false color (UVFC) methods. Carbon black, red lead, and indigo were identified as black ink, orange, and blue pigments, respectively. A mixture of red lead and vermilion was also detected in the red/orange ink. White lead and calcite were also used as additives in blue color. A cochineal-based pigment was also used as red ink in some parts of the manuscript. However, the evaluation of golden color showed two types pigments of gold and brass alloys in different parts of the manuscript. Copper carboxylate was identified as the product of the destruction of this pigment. According to the results of the study, technical photography methods along with spectroscopic methods are a good tool to examine manuscripts and identify included pigments and reduce the amount of possible error and the need for destructive sampling.

Minerva in Colours: First Results on a Polychrome Roman Sculpture from Carnuntum (Pannonia)

“…Some features of red and black areas are in good agreement with the expectations for red lead (reddish VIS, dark UVR, dark red UVFC, yellowish IRFC; cf. e.g., [60]) and carbon black (dark in all MSI images; cf. e.g., [56]), which were found by cross-section analyses (cf.…”

Pigments in Ancient Manuscripts and Paintings Brought to Life by Raman Spectroscopy: A Short Review

“…In two of the manuscripts, there had been considerable darkening of the regions consisting of lead white due to the formation of galena, as a result of reaction with orpiment. Koochakzaei et al, 75 checked the pigment palette of an Iranian codex of the Holy Quran (1795-1796 CE) associated to the early Qajar era with the help of Raman spectroscopy coupled with μ-XRF, SEM-EDS, FTIR spectroscopy and technical photography processes. Here again, the enthralling application of the cochineal-based pigment carmine was observed representing Raman bands at 1643, 1476, 1316, 1220 and 1104 cm -1 .…”

A Mamluk Copy of Fawaed El Mawaad: Investigation and Analytical Approach

“…Raman analysis make it possible to distinguish between a variety of inks. Iron-gall ink is distinguished by the peaks at roughly 1472 and 572 cm -1 , carbon black ink by the characteristic bands at 1334 and 1588 cm -1 , and iron sulphate by the peak at 1454 cm -1 [28][29][30][31][32].…”

“…Technical photography is one of the effective methods for concluding the process of identification, which offers substantial advantages to researchers and therefore sampling and analysis over a vast area is not required [34]. Any significant change of opaci-ty can be detected by comparing the visible and near-infrared micrographs in any text examined, revealing the presence of carbon in every ink [10,29,34].…”