From study to conservation of a masterpiece of Persian art: the Panj ganj manuscript at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice

The codex 2522/35 held at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice (Italy) is an illuminated paper manuscript from the 17th century perpetuating the most famous works of the Persian poet Neẓāmi Ganjavi, the five classical poems known as Panj Ganj or Kahmse, originally composed between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century. The volume entered the Cini collection in the 1960s. Despite its importance and the elegance resulting from the close symbiosis of text, calligraphy and decoration, it was rarely consulted and studied until the 2000s due to the poor condition of the paper. The green copper-based pigment used to delimit the columns for writing had induced serious degradation processes, causing a number of extensive tears that affected both the text and the full-page miniatures. In addition, further problems were associated with oxidation of the paper and countless repairs carried out with inappropriate materials and techniques. As a result, simple handling of the paper caused tears, cracks and fragments. This contribution presents the results of the complex conservation project of the codex, developed in the years 2019-2020 involving the Giorgio Cini Foundation, the Ca’ Foscari University Venice and the CIBA, the Interdepartmental Research Center “Study and conservation of archaeological, architectural and historical-artistic heritage” of the University of Padua. The research focused on the historical, literary and artistic aspects, the codicological examination, the physical-chemical investigations (in particular with spectroscopic analysis and multispectral imaging techniques) aimed at characterizing the materials and the manufacture processes. Then, the conservation treatment was carried out, balancing historical instances and the need to counteract the processes of decay that were endangering the work. The multidisciplinary approach had highlighted the genuine Persian manufacture of the codex, including its bookbinding and repairs. Book archaeology studies of Islamic Middle Eastern codices are rather “young” and aimed at investigating the relationship between the structural characteristics of the artefacts and the material culture that presided over their production. In such a context, each exemplar may represent an important source of knowledge to broaden our awareness about the Islamic book tradition. On this basis, the conservation of the Panji Ganji manuscript was developed according to minimally invasive methods, working in situ on the sewn leaves as well as on the bookbinding and preserving every single historic element. The assessment of the storage environment at the Cini Foundation, and in particular the control of the microclimate (with respect to temperature and maximum relative humidity), played also an important role in the decision-making process regarding conservation steps. Also not to be underestimated is finally the valorisation of Neẓāmi’s work. Cautious but safe access to the original is now allowed. Moreover, the digitisation of the manuscript post-conservation treatment and the publication of a commentary comprising the essays of the many scholars involved in the project is making this masterpiece to be known in its various, interesting aspects.