Tyragetia (Dec 2020)
Archaeological textile item – vestment paraman: research and conservation-restoration
Abstract
The paper presents the research and the conservation-restoration treatment of the Metropolitan Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni’s vestment – the paraman discovered as a result of archaeological excavations in the area of the Căpriana Monastery in the Republic of Moldova. The metropolitan, who was buried in 1821 in the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Căpriana Monastery, was canonized in 2016. On this occasion, archaeological investigations of his crypt were carried out and various types of artifacts were revealed. Among them there are vestments (sticharion, epimanikia – fragments, girdle, epitrachelion, great omophorion, sakkos, epigonation, mitre, head covering, and paraman), textile fragments of the pillow, fragments of galloon from the coffin, leather fragments from shoes, metal objects (ornamental and functional elements), religious objects – a hand cross, a pectoral cross with a ribbon, clothing accessories – buttons. The study of the paraman from the point of view of determining the technique and material of manufacture showed that it was made using the technique of manual relief embroidery of the textile base with natural silk threads, silver and gilded threads, spiral or faceted silver gilded braid and silver gilded sequins. The results of the research and the analysis of the state of conservation of the textile object made it possible to establish the stages of the conservation and restoration process. Interventions carried out during this process included mechanical cleanings, wet cleanings, chemical cleanings, neutralizations and strengthening by sewing on torn parts, restoring losses of textile base, metal sequins and metal threads. The conservation and restoration of archaeological textiles from the Căpriana Monastery allows us to preserve these most valuable historical, spiritual, artistic and documentary treasures for present and future generations.
