Syllabus for PGDA

INTRODUCTION

1. Ethics of conservation, restoration and preservation and its history

BASIC CHEMISTRY

1. Inorganic and organic chemistry

2. Elements and compounds

3. Metals (Silver, Gold, Copper, Iron, Lead) and non-metals

4. Alloys

5. Acids, bases and salts

6. pH, ionic and non-ionic solutions

7. Solubility, solvents and insolubility

8. Micro-climate

CAUSES OF DECAY

1. Physical, chemical and biological deteriorating agencies

2. Air pollution – monitoring and control 3. Environmental parameters – monitoring 4. Preventive and curative methods of control

DOCUMENTATION

1. Preparation of history chart, status report

2. Photography, Ultraviolet, Infrared and Radiography

3. Fakes and forgeries with case studies

METALLIC ANTIQUITIES (GOLD, SILVER, COPPER, BRONZE, LEAD, IRON)

1. Ores, source of origin and metallurgy

2. Causes of decay and corrosion

3.Consolidation and treatment in the field

4.Laboratory treatment, preservation and general maintenance

ORGANIC ANTIQUITIES (IVORY, BONE, HORN, LEATHER, PARCHMENT, FURS, PAPER, BIRCH BARK, PALM LEAF, WOOD AND TEXTILE)

1. Material and its composition

2. Causes of decay

3. Treatment in field and laboratory

4. Fumigation, bleeding, strengthening, drying and lamination

5. Consolidation, repairs and general maintenance

SILICEOUS, CALCAREOUS AND ARGILLACEOUS ANTIQUITIES (STONE, SEMI-PRECIOUS STONE, MINERAL, MUD, TERRACOTTA, POTTERY, GLASS, GLAZE, FAIENCE, STUCCO)

1. Chemical composition

2. Causes of decay

3. Treatment in field and laboratory

4. Consolidation and repair

MONUMENTS

1. Building materials – problems of stones, bricks, mortars and lime 2. Causes of decay
3. Cleaning, consolidation and preservation
4. Techniques – chemical wash, sand blast, paper pulp, clay pack, mist and jelly techniques

PAINTINGS

1. Factors – material structure and pigments

2. Causes of decay

3. Treatment

4. Consolidation, restoration, repair and general maintenance

(a) Mural Paintings

i Types – fresco, secco and tempera ii. Composition of ground support, etc

ii Factors – ground, binding medium and pigment iv. Transplantation (mounting, packing and transportation)

(b) Oil Paintings

i Historical background, origin in Europe and India

ii Factors – carrier, ground, pigment, binding medium, resins, oil and gums

iii Chemical alteration of pigment and varnish

iv Mechanical disintegration of canvas and paint layers

(c) Miniature paper paintings and manuscripts

i Factors – paper, paints, pigments, dyes, medium ii. Determination of pH of paper, its folding endurance, tensile strength, percentage of cellulose

(d) Paintings on cloth, glass, wood, ivory and leather

i Factors – material, pigment, dyes

CASE STUDY OF MONUMENTS AND ANTIQUARIAN REMAINS

AUTHENTICATION OF ANTIQUITIES BY SCIENTIFIC AIDS

ESTABLISHMENT OF FIELD LABORATORY (NECESSARY INSTRUMENTS, TOOLS, EQUIPMENTS AND CHEMICALS)

PRACTICAL

1. Treatment and cleaning of metal antiquities

2. Treatment, cleaning and strengthening of mural paintings

3. Treatment of canvas and miniature paintings

4. Cleaning and treatment of stones, marble, plaster, etc

5. Laboratory procedures and determination of pH, etc