Historic calligraphies under restoration
ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency
Among thousands of artworks in the Turkish Calligraphy Arts Museum, affiliated with the General Directorate of Foundations, 563 are being restored by a team of 20 experts. Foundations General Director Adnan Ertem said the museum, located in the Beyazıt Madrasah of the Bayezid II Mosque, is undergoing a restoration process.
During the restoration process of the building, 3,000 calligraphy panels were set to be revived by conservation experts, and their restoration has begun its first stage. Ertem said the panels had come from mosques, tombs and madrasahs, adding, “All objects on a calligraphy panel, including kiswah [the cloth that covers the Kaaba in Mecca], a mother of pearl inlaid lectern and a needlework cloth, are owned by the general directorate.”
He said the bid for the restoration of the calligraphy panels in the museum was made in January 2012, and continued:
“Some 563 calligraphy panels have been brought to the conservation area, established in the elephant stable section in the Sultanahmet Mosque. They have been categorized as paper, leather, metal, cloth and needlework. An expert of each category has begun restoring these works. Currently, 18 experts and two artisans are working on the panels. The artworks of foundations have been commended to experts and are under restoration. The restoration process is set to be finished in a year.”
Technological opp
ortunities The Turkish Foundations Calligraphy Arts Museum Director Zübeyde Cihan Özsayıner said the science of museology had been performed in the world using all opportunities of technology. She said the area of the conservation should be cleaned from dust, humidity and dirt.
“This is why dust absorber machines have been purchased for the conservation area. Infestation and microorganism problems appear especially in wood works. Special systems have been provided for their disinfestation. These things are used during the restoration of the works,” she said.
Özsayıner said the Kilim and Flat Weaving Clothes Museum was previously located in the elephant stable section, and continued:
“Because of excessive humidity here, kilims have been removed. Within the scope of a project, in cooperation with Italy to prevent humidity, we have placed a machine, which is used only in three places in Turkey. With electromagnetic waves, this machine oppresses water and prevents the formation of humidity. This machine is effective on a limited area.”
