Study of the Red Iron Paints for Rubrics and Miniatures: Accelerated Aging and Analytical Data

Abstract

In this study, the red iron paints used in ancient manuscripts for rubrics and miniatures were fabricated and investigated. The commercial three different iron pigments (red ochre (Fe₂O₃), red bolus (Fe₂O₃^._xSiO₂^._yAl₂O₃), and hematite (Fe₂O₃)) and three binding media (gum Arabic, fish glue and parchment glue) were used for the preparation of analogous to historical red iron paints. The obtained model red iron paints were analyzed with the aim to create a short data library which could be used for the characterization of different model compositions of red paints as well as real historical and archaeological red paints. The obtained red paints and binding media were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and thermal (TG/DSC) analysis techniques. The accelerated aging test was also applied for the analogous to historical red iron paints. These results are useful to develop red paint guidelines for the storage and display for improved conservation and accessibility of manuscripts.