The science of conservation
Science plays a crucial role in conservation. Scientific analysis helps us understand the nature of the materials that make up an object, and sometimes where and when they come from (their provenance).
Non-invasive techniques like X-ray and infrared scanning allow us to see beneath the surface of an object, through its many layers, making the invisible visible. Scientists from the V&A and Yale University used these techniques to explore the artistic methods behind the illustrations in the ‘Kalpa Sūtra’ and ‘Uttarādhyayanasūtra Jain’ religious manuscripts you see here.
Written by: Lucia Burgio, Lead Conservation Scientist
Published: May 2025
Description: Image with arsenic map, with underdrawings of a figure from a Jain manuscript (museum no. IS.46:50–1959)
Maker: V&A conservators
Description: Five fragments of mineral samples
Materials and techniques: Cassiterite
Description: Mineral sample
Materials and techniques: Cinnabar
Description: Mineral sample
Materials and techniques: Orpiment
Description: Mineral sample
Materials and techniques: Realgar with orpiment
Working Museum
- Museum Number
- IS.46:59-1959
- Title/Description
- Kalpasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Gujarat
- Date
- late 15th century to early 16th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Paint, Ink, Gold, Paper, Painted, Written
- Museum Number
- IS.46:56-1959
- Title/Description
- Kalpasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Gujarat
- Date
- late 15th century to early 16th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Paint, Ink, Gold, Paper, Painted, Written
- Museum Number
- IS.46:50-1959
- Title/Description
- Kalpasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Gujarat
- Date
- late 15th century to early 16th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Paint, Ink, Gold, Paper, Painted, Written
- Museum Number
- IS.2:15-1972
- Title/Description
- Uttaradhyayanasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Khambhat
- Date
- ca. 1460
- Materials/Techniques
- Opaque watercolour, Ink, Paper, Painted
- Museum Number
- IS.2:16/2-1972
- Title/Description
- Uttaradhyayanasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Khambhat
- Date
- ca. 1460
- Materials/Techniques
- Opaque watercolour, Ink, Paper, Painted
- Museum Number
- IS.2:17-1972
- Title/Description
- Uttaradhyayanasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Khambhat
- Date
- ca. 1460
- Materials/Techniques
- Opaque watercolour, Ink, Paper, Painted
- Museum Number
- IM.9-1931
- Title/Description
- Manuscript page
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Gujarat
- Date
- second half 15th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Paper, Opaque watercolour, Gold, Paint, Painted
- Museum Number
- IS.46:59/2-1959
- Title/Description
- Kalpasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Gujarat
- Date
- late 15th century to early 16th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Paint, Ink, Gold, Paper, Painted, Written
- Museum Number
- IS.46:56/2-1959
- Title/Description
- Kalpasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Gujarat
- Date
- late 15th century to early 16th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Paint, Ink, Gold, Paper, Painted, Written
- Museum Number
- IS.46:50/2-1959
- Title/Description
- Kalpasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Gujarat
- Date
- late 15th century to early 16th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Paint, Ink, Gold, Paper, Painted, Written
- Museum Number
- IS.2:15/2-1972
- Title/Description
- Uttaradhyayanasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Khambhat
- Date
- ca. 1460
- Materials/Techniques
- Opaque watercolour, Ink, Paper, Painted
- Museum Number
- IS.2:16-1972
- Title/Description
- Uttaradhyayanasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Khambhat
- Date
- ca. 1460
- Materials/Techniques
- Opaque watercolour, Ink, Paper, Painted
- Museum Number
- IS.2:2/2-1972
- Title/Description
- Uttaradhyayanasutra
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- Khambhat
- Date
- ca. 1460
- Materials/Techniques
- Opaque watercolour, Ink, Paper, Painted