Minbar: After Conservation
- Description:
- Minbar: After Conservation
- Physical Description:
- 67 Photographs and Color Slides and B&W Film Rolls
- Author:
- Dobrowolska, Agnieszka, Vincent, Robert, and Godeau, Patrick
- Date Created:
- 1998 - 1999
- Collection:
- Al-Salih Tala'i Minbar Conservation Project
- Location:
- Historic Cairo
- Time Period:
- Mamluk Dynasty
- Topic:
- Arabic inscriptions, Islamic architecture, Qiblah, Islamic calligraphy, Geometric designs, Arabesques, and Islamic decorative arts
- Cultural Object:
- Carving (Decorative arts), Wood, Domes, Malqaf, Mosques, Inscriptions, Inlaid, Minbar, Carving (Decorative arts), Wood, Domes, Malqaf, Mosques, Inscriptions, Inlaid, Minbar, Carving (Decorative arts), Wood, Domes, Malqaf, Mosques, Inscriptions, Inlaid, and Minbar
- Genre:
- black-and-white photographs and color photographs
- References:
- Danforth, Randi. 2010. Preserving Egypt’s Cultural Heritage : The Conservation Work of the American Research Center in Egypt, 1995-2005. San Antonio, TX: American Research Center in Egypt.
- Creative Commons License:
- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
- Rights Statement:
- Users must agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the CC BY NC SA license before using ARCE materials and must provide the following credit line: "Reproduction courtesy of the American Research Center in Egypt, Inc. (ARCE). This project was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)."
- Project History:
- In 1997, a survey of existing conditions was carried out by Dr. Ewa Parandowska on the Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i mosque to ascertain primary sources of degradation and to illustrate and define the current state of preservation of the Minbar. The survey's findings indicated that the Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i mosque is experiencing significant degradation and deterioration. Accordingly, Dr. Agnieszka Dobrowolska and her team of conservation professionals, led by Conservator Erico Peintner, conducted specialized conservation on the Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i from August 1998 to January 1999, under the auspices of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE). Reinforcement for the interior structure of the Minbar was installed, a new base was built, cleaning and infilling of the decorations were carried out, the dome was restored and installed, the malqaf was retained and maintained and the Qibla wall was conserved and restored. Conservation work on the Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i was made possible with the support of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (formerly the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities).
- Funding Agency:
- The conservation of the minbar of Al-Salih Tala'i was made possible with funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Grant No. 263-G-00-93-00089-00 and administered by Egyptian Antiquities Conservation Project (EAC) of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), the condition survey by Ewa Parandowska was funded by Grant Np. 263-0000-G-00-3089-00 and administered by the Egyptian Antiquities Project (EAP).
- Abstract:
- The conservation project for the Minbar of Al-Salih Tala’i was funded by USAID and managed by ARCE. The project sought to refurbish the minbar, which had seen significant damage due to dampness and structural instability. The minbar was restored to its original position, now safeguarded against moisture and structural concerns, situated on a foundation of four millimeter-thick lead sheets for waterproof insulation, while the base was constructed with alternating layers of compressed sand and gravel to prevent future soil subsidence. The stone platform supporting the minbar was constructed above an additional layer of waterproof insulation. The minbar was positioned 15 cm from the wall. This, together with positioning the minbar on wooden beams instead of directly on the stone pavement, facilitates air circulation from below and from the back. Enhancements were implemented regarding its lighting and moisture protection. Years post-conservation, the minbar is still in active use and is in good condition (Danforth, 2010: 197).