Bordering on Asian Paintings: Dye Analysis of Textile Borders and Mount Elements to Complement Research on Asian Pictorial Art

Mount components and textile borders represent important elements of Asian paintings. However, they are often side-lined or not considered an integral part of the original piece, as they may be later additions or may have been replaced during historic conservation or mounting interventions. Nevertheless, evidence is sometimes present that textile borders are contemporaneous to the production of the paintings they frame or, in the case of paintings found in archaeological contexts, to the time of deposition. Even when not contemporaneous with the paintings, the mount textiles are often of significant historic interest in themselves, showing a range of complex textile techniques and materials, and highlighting the re-use of fabrics. In all these cases, the study and reconstruction of the original colours of the borders enable further understanding of the holistic visual impact originally intended for the composition, as well as of the role of colour itself, which was used to emphasise, complement or contrast important pictorial themes or motifs in the paintings. Furthermore, the identification of dyes and dyeing techniques has the potential to support the production date and provenance of the paintings. In this study, the textile borders and some additional mounting elements of six paintings (late 9th–10th century CE) from the Library Cave, Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, China, one rare Korean portrait painting dated 1789 CE, and two Tibetan thangkas (18th century) were investigated with the aim to identify the dyes present. Fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) was used to obtain information non-invasively and, when sampling was possible, high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to obtain molecular identification of the dyestuffs employed in their production. Typical Asian dyes, such as gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon), sappanwood (Biancaea sappan), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and pagoda tree flower buds (Sophora japonica), were identified. Some of the dyeing techniques were commensurate with the geographical and temporal provenance assigned to these pieces. Considerations about fading and discolouration of the dyes enabled valuable additional information to be obtained that complements the evidence gleaned from the study of the paintings and informs conservators and curators on best practices in the preservation and display of these precious and delicate artworks.

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Large Volume Direct Injection Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry-Based Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study between Single and Combinatory Uses of Carthamus tinctorius Extract and Notoginseng Total Saponins

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics12020180 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 180

Author(s):

Jinfeng Chen ◽

Xiaoyu Guo ◽

Yingyuan Lu ◽

Mengling Shi ◽

Haidong Mu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽

High Performance ◽

Direct Injection ◽

Carthamus Tinctorius ◽

Tandem Mass ◽

Comparative Pharmacokinetic ◽

Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry ◽

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass

The combination of Carthamus tinctorius extract (CTE) and notoginseng total saponins (NGTS), namely, CNP, presents a synergistic effect on myocardial ischemia protection. Herein, comparative pharmacokinetic studies between CNP and CTE/NGTS were conducted to clarify their synergistic mechanisms. A large volume direct injection ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LVDI-UHPLC-MS/MS) platform was developed for sensitively assaying the multi-component pharmacokinetic and in vitro cocktail assay of cytochrome p450 (CYP450) before and after compatibility of CTE and NGTS. The pharmacokinetic profiles of six predominantly efficacious components of CNP, including hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA); ginsenosides Rg1 (GRg1), Re (GRe), Rb1 (GRb1), and Rd (GRd); and notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), were obtained, and the results disclosed that CNP could increase the exposure levels of HSYA, GRg1, GRe, GRb1, and NGR1 at varying degrees. The in vitro cocktail assay demonstrated that CNP exhibited more potent inhibition on CYP1A2 than CTE and NGTS, and GRg1, GRb1, GRd, quercetin, kaempferol, and 6-hydroxykaempferol were found to be the major inhibitory compounds. The developed pharmacokinetic interaction-based strategy provides a viable orientation for the compatibility investigation of herb medicines.

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A multi-scalar investigation of the colouring materials used in textile wrappings of Egyptian votive animal mummies

Heritage Science ◽

10.1186/s40494-021-00585-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Diego Tamburini ◽

Joanne Dyer ◽

Marie Vandenbeusch ◽

Matilde Borla ◽

Debora Angelici ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Multispectral Imaging ◽

Organic Dyes ◽

British Museum ◽

Carthamus Tinctorius ◽

Inorganic Materials ◽

Coating Materials ◽

Macro Scale ◽

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽

Materials Used

AbstractCommonly exhibited in museum galleries, animal mummies have been the focus of interest of both visitors and researchers alike. The study of these animal remains not only provides new insights into embalming techniques, but also brings a unique perspective on religious, social and economic practices. Twenty animal mummies are discussed in this study, including cats, ibises, crocodiles, calves and birds of prey from the collections of the British Museum (London, UK) and the Museo Egizio (Turin, Italy). The external textile wrappings encasing the mummified body of the animals were investigated with the main aim of identifying the colourants used. In fact, these are mostly patterned using undyed and coloured (mostly red, brown and black) linen strips. Broadband multispectral imaging (MSI) was initially carried out to obtain preliminary information at the macro-scale on the distribution and chemical nature of the colouring agents. Fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) was then used to survey several coloured areas of the textile wrappings. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and red ochre were identified non-invasively. Representative samples were then taken and observed using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to obtain information at the micro-scale on the distribution of the colouring agents on the fibres, as well as the presence of other materials, including those from environmental contamination. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) revealed the elemental composition of particles and clear areas of the fibres, whereas high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) provided the identification of the organic dyes at a molecular level. The use of hydrolysable and condensed tannins, in combination with iron as a mordant, was found to be used in the very dark shades, which generally corresponded to the textiles with the worst state of preservation. Nevertheless, other aspects, such as fibre processing and bleaching, fungal attack and presence of coating materials appeared to play a role in the evaluation of the conservation state of these textiles. The characterisation of the dyes and the additional inorganic materials contributed to elucidating the production technology of the colours used for animal mummification, and provided insights into ancient dyeing methods.

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Exploring the transition from natural to synthetic dyes in the production of 19th-century Central Asian ikat textiles

Heritage Science ◽

10.1186/s40494-020-00441-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Diego Tamburini ◽

Eric Breitung ◽

Chika Mori ◽

Tomoko Kotajima ◽

Matthew L. Clarke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Methyl Violet ◽

Array Detector ◽

Full Potential ◽

Synthetic Dyes ◽

Sophora Japonica ◽

Grape Vine ◽

Additional Information ◽

Rubia Tinctorum ◽

Alizarin Yellow

Abstract This study focuses on the dye analysis of 26 ikat textiles present in the collection of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and originally collected by Dr. Guido Goldman with the aim to gain additional information about their provenance and dating. The investigation exploits the full potential of a multi-analytical approach, starting with a non-invasive survey of all the colors using fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS), which revealed the presence of indigo and insect-based red dyes. These data were used to select areas from which samples were taken and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC–DAD). These results enabled most of the natural sources of dyes to be fully identified, including American cochineal (Dactylopius coccus), madder (probably Rubia tinctorum), lac (probably Kerria lacca), larkspur (Delphinum semibarbatum), pagoda tree flower buds (Sophora japonica), grape vine leaves (Vitis vinifera), indigo and tannins. Complex mixtures of dyes were present in most samples, as a result of both the ikat making process itself and traditional dyeing practices. Synthetic dyes were identified in 9 of the textiles. Samples were re-analyzed using HPLC–DAD coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD-MS). Malachite green (basic green 4, C.I. 42000), fuchsine (basic violet 14, C.I. 42510), rhodamine B (basic violet 10, C.I. 45170) and methyl violet (basic violet 1, C.I. 42535) were identified, and a few other tentatively identified synthetic dyes (probably orange I, II and IV, rhodamine 6G, patent blue V and alizarin yellow GG) were detected. As the first synthesis of early synthetic dyes is well documented, their presence was used to refine the dating of these textiles. The contextualization of the results also appeared to support the stylistic assumption that more intricate and colorful designs with a higher level of complexity are dated earlier than simpler, larger and more graphic ones. The overall information acquired reveals a dynamic scenario and an interesting window into the dyers’ experiments and adjustments to the economic and technological changes of the nineteenth century.

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