DYESTUFF AND COLOUR ANALYSES OF THE SELJUK CARPETS IN KONYA ETHNOGRAPHY MUSEUM

Abstract

Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography with diodearray ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometric detection was used to identify dyestuffs in carpets of the Seljuk period. The objects that were examined originate from the thirteenth century and belong to the collection of the Konya Ethnography Museum in Konya, Turkey. Extraction from fibres was carried out with a 2:1:1 solution of hydrochloric acid, methanol and water. The study identified the main individual chemical components of natural anthraquinone, flavonoid and other dyes, including alizarin, purpurin, indigotin and ellagic acid, indicating that the most important classes of natural red and yellow dyes were used in these historical carpets. Colour measurements were made on the pile of the carpets and are reported as CIELAB L*, a* and b* values. The data from the dyestuff analyses and colour measurements were used to inform conservation and restoration.