| Damage Factors | Types of Damage | Prevention Methods |
Damaging of the Ancient Calligraphies
Ancient calligraphies are very fragile antiques. The damaging factors of the ancient calligraphies could be classified into two categories. The first factor is man-made destructions, and the second one is the natural factors.
3.1.1 Man-man destruction
Man-made destruction can simply be divided into two types. The first belongs to wars and incineration destruction. Another type of man-man destruction is the destruction during the period of construction and also by tourists.
3.1.2. Natural Factors
Natural factors that cause ancient calligraphies to damage can also be divided into two types. The first type of damage is caused by natural disasters, including the earthquakes, floods, and lightnings. The effect of those natural disasters cannot be estimated. On the other hand, the other kind of damage is purely physics, for examples, biological effects, exposure to light, microorganisms, moisture, and also temperature. Whether the former or the latter will bring great impacts towards the value of the ancient calligraphies.
Source : Website Bing
3-2 Types of Damages TOP The damage of the ancient calligraphies can be roughly classified into the following five ways:
3.2.1 Damage by Temperature and Humidity
In a typical environment, if the temperature is too low, it will cause the works to contract. Oppositely, if the temperature is too high, it will cause the works to expand. When the works constantly go through the effects of thermal expansion, overtime, the ancient calligraphies will eventually crack. Furthermore, if the humidity is too high, it will also cause the writings of the ancient calligraphies to smudge. In addition, improper temperature and humidity may also produce bacteria or microbes. Therefore, the controlling of the humidity and the temperature of the ancient calligraphies is important, and they cannot be ignored.
3.2.2 Damage by Ultraviolet Light
Optical radiation of heat, light oxidation, and light damage are the three aspects that will strongly affect the ancient calligraphies after long exposures. The ultraviolet light will cause the surface of the ancient calligraphies to fade, and will also affect the durability of the materials of the works. If the ancient calligraphies are exposed to the light for a long time, the light may cause the original color of the ancient calligraphies to change colors.
Source : Website Bing 3.2.3 Damage by Air Pollution
Since the air pollution is acidic, it may change the quality of the paper to and eventually make the ancient calligraphies to become more brittle. Sulfurous acid gas, hydrogen sulfide, ammonium hydroxide, chlorine, and ozone are all examples of acidic air pollution. Therefore, to prevent the ancient calligraphies to suffer from the effect of air pollution, it is better to keep the studio's away from the chemical factories that emit lots of dirty air pollution.
3.2.4 Damage by Dust and Microorganisms
When people clean up the dust on the ancient calligraphies, it is very likely that they will scratch the surface of the calligraphies. However, if the dust is not cleaned up, the dust will eventually damage the quality of the ancient calligraphies, and later produce mold.
Source : Website Bing 3.2.5 Damage by Pests
Paper and silk are the two major materials that made up the ancient calligraphies. In addition, both of the materials are mostly organic, and which provide an excellent source of food to the pests. Furthermore, paper’s carbohydrate is also one of the foods that pests like to eat. Common pests that eat ancient calligraphies are silverfish, cockroaches, beetles, termites, and rats. The saliva, excrement, dead bodies of the pests will also pollute the materials and qualities of the ancient calligraphies.
Source : Website Bing
3-3 Prevention Methods for the Damaging of Ancient Calligraphies TOP To preserve the ancient calligraphies, we shall be aware of the following situations:
3.3.1 The Controlling of the Humidity and the Temperature
In order to preserve the ancient calligraphy, first of all, we have to have a certain temperature and humidity. Generally, major ancient calligraphies materials are made up of paper, silk, damask, and brocade. Usually, the temperature is 15 ℃ to 18 ℃, and the most favorable humidity is often 55% to 65% for the preservation of ancient calligraphy. Secondly, we have to prevent the ancient calligraphies from rodents and insects, as well as to prevent moisture and mold. The best way is to place the ancient calligraphies in the cabinets, and the cabinets should be stored in a dry place. In addition, we should have annual check-ups of the cabinets. It is best to choose a sunny and a dry weather to dry the ancient calligraphies. The purpose of doing this is to emit the humidity that is in the ancient calligraphies. Be aware not to put the calligraphies directly facing towards the sun, otherwise they will tilt. On the other hand, by putting the ancient calligraphies into the cabinets, the cabinets will provide an environment that has a stable temperature and humidity. Furthermore, it will also prevent the oxidation and aging of the calligraphies and can effectively prevent insects and the occurrence of mold.
3.3.2 The Importance of Cleaning Up the Dust and the Long Time Expose of the Ancient Calligraphies
Third, we must correctly handle the dirt of the ancient calligraphies. Some people will use a piece of clothing or a brush to wipe the dust on the ancient calligraphies. This approach will damage the surface of the ancient calligraphies because usually the surfaces of the clothing or brushes are hard. The correct way is to spread the ancient calligraphies on a flat table and wipe them gently with a feather broom. But, if the dust is not cleaned off, then you can decide to use a long, soft hair brush. Fourth, we cannot hang the ancient calligraphies on the wall. The reason is because that long-term exposure will cause ancient calligraphies to erode because of the wind. If you expose the ancient calligraphies outside for a long time, the paper quality of the ancient calligraphies will start to decrease. This would also make the ancient calligraphies brittle. In addition, the whole picture will lose its original color. There are two ways to store ancient calligraphies. The first way is to roll the ancient calligraphies together. The second way is to unfold the ancient calligraphies, and frame the ancient calligraphies. Further, surrounds the ancient calligraphies by silk, so one can avoid the problem of them being eroded by wind or dust on the surface.
3.3.3 Affectation of Lights
Finally, the greatest cause of damaging the ancient calligraphies is the ultraviolet light. It can also lead to color transformation, decomposition, and also the change of paper quality. Ultraviolet is mainly from the sunlight. Moreover, incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes also emit a small amount of ultraviolet. Therefore, when people are hanging the ancient calligraphies up, remember that one can not hang them close to the windows. The purpose for that is to avoid sunlight. Fluorescent bulbs will emit 400-700 nm of light, although it only affects a little, but it will turn the ancient calligraphy yellow. Therefore, in the house layout arrangement, we should keep the distance between light bulbs or fluorescent lamps and the ancient calligraphies to more than one meter, and use a low-power light source.
Reference:
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