Analytical Approach to the Gilded Silver Door of Chahār-Bāgh school of Isfahan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master's Graduate, Department of Objects Conservation and Archaeometry, Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Objects Conservation and Archaeometry, Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Objects Conservation and Archaeometry, Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Chahār-Bāgh school in Isfahan stands as one of the artistic masterpieces left from the Safavid period, employing a variety of arts in its construction. One of the important features of this historic building is its door of the portal, which adds to the beauty and grandeur of the school. Studies conducted on this artifact mostly include historical research, examination of patterns and epigraphy, and so far, the results of a technical and scientific study regarding it have not been published. The aim of this research is to identify the metal door facings of the portal of schools, its construction method, and also to study the gilding technique used in decorating parts of its surface. In this regard, the main question of this research is: what material was used to make the metal covering of the Chahār-Bāgh School door in Isfahan, by what method was it produced, and in what manner was the gilding of its decorative parts carried out?
For this purpose, a detailed examination of the surface of the door was carried out on-site with further magnifications. Laboratory studies were also conducted on selected samples using optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS). The results showed that the door facings are made of almost pure silver metal. Very small amounts of copper and lead, around 1 wt%, were also identified in the composition of the silver sheet. This small amount facilitates hammering and sheet metal fabrication. Moreover, oxide inclusions in the silver sheet was identified in the EDS analysis. Such inclusions imply using heat treatment (annealing) during the production of metal sheet. In other word, silver sheets were manufacture by an alternative hammering and annealing process to achieve the desired thickness. In addition, the presence of mercury in the gold layer and also in the interface of gold layer and silver substrate indicated that the golden decorations on various parts of the silver facings were executed using amalgam gilding, similar to the technique used for gilding in the Masjid-i Shāh (Masjid-i Imām) of Isfahan, another example belonging to the Safavid period.

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References

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Journal of Applied Arts
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 14
September 2024
Pages 25-38

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 May 2024
  • Revise Date: 21 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 29 January 2025

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