Palm Leaf Manuscripts from Royal Surakarta, Indonesia: Deterioration Phenomena and Care Practices
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Yeni Budi Rachman
Yeni Budi Rachman is a Junior Lecturer at the Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia. She can be contacted at yeni.budi@ui.ac.id
Abstract
The aims of this research were to identify deterioriation processes of lontar (palm leaf) manuscripts and to describe traditional handling and care of such manuscripts stored in the library of Rekso Pustoko, Surakarta. Environmental conditions were monitored and interviews regarding handling and preservation practices were conducted; furthermore, the current physical condition of lontar manuscripts was documented within a survey. Librarians still use some traditional methods to clean and improve the flexibility of palm leaves such as applying a mixture of minyak sereh (lemon grass oil) and bubuk kemiri (candlenut powder) to the surface of the leaves. This paper recommends some further preservation me-thods in order to prevent deterioration and damage in the future.
Zusammenfassung
Palmblatt-Manuskripte aus der königlichen Sammlung Surakarta, Indonesien: Schadensphänomene und Konservierungsstrategien
Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt Schadensursachen und traditionelle Pflegemaßnahmen an Palmblatt-Manuskripten (Lontar), die in der Bibliothek von Rekso Pustoko, Surakarta aufbewahrt werden. Klimadaten in Lesesaal und Aufbewahrungsraum wurden erfasst und die Handhabung der Manuskripte bzw. Pflegemaßnahmen wurden durch Interviews mit Bibliotheks-Mitarbeitern dokumentiert. Manuskripte werden traditionell mit Ethanol oberflächengereinigt und die Palmblätter mit einer Mischung aus Minyak Sereh (Zitronengras-Öl) und Bubuk Kemiri (Lichtnuss-Pulver) eingelassen. Der Beitrag empfiehlt darüber hinaus präventive Maßnahmen, um weitere Schäden in Zukunft zu vermeiden.
Résumé
La collection de manuscrits Lontar de Royal Surakarta, Indonésie: détérioration et pratiques de conservation
Les objectifs de cette recherche sont d’identifier la détérioration des manuscrits Lontar en feuilles de palmier et de décrire la manipulation et les soins traditionnels apportés aux manuscrits conservés à Rekso Pustoko, Surakarta.
Les données ont été récoltées après entretien et sondage afin d’identifier et de décrire la condition physique actuelle et les pratiques de conservation des manuscrits Lontar. Les bibliothécaires appliquent des méthodes traditionnelles pour préserver la flexibilité des Lontar. Ils appliquent de l’alcool et un mélange de minyak sereh (huile de citronnelle) et de bubuk kemiri (poudre de candlenut) sur la surface des feuilles de Lontar. Cet article préconise certaines méthodes pour prévenir une détérioration et des dégâts ultérieurs.
About the author
Yeni Budi Rachman is a Junior Lecturer at the Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia. She can be contacted at yeni.budi@ui.ac.id
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Dr. Tamara Adriani Salim, MA for her valuable guidance and support. I would like also to express my gratitude to the all staff of Rekso Pustoko Library, Puro Mangkunegaran Surakarta for their valuable support on this research.
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© 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Preface
- 10.1515/res-2018-0017
- Original Works
- Palm Leaf Manuscripts from Royal Surakarta, Indonesia: Deterioration Phenomena and Care Practices
- Chromatographic Study on Traditional Natural Preservatives Used for Palm Leaf Manuscripts in India
- Colour and Ink Characterization of Ottoman Diplomatic Documents Dating from the 13th to the 20th Century
- Erratum
- Erratum to: Comparison of lightweight Japanese tissues for overall stabilization of documents damaged by iron gall ink corrosionand an alternative to silk screen frames
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Preface
- 10.1515/res-2018-0017
- Original Works
- Palm Leaf Manuscripts from Royal Surakarta, Indonesia: Deterioration Phenomena and Care Practices
- Chromatographic Study on Traditional Natural Preservatives Used for Palm Leaf Manuscripts in India
- Colour and Ink Characterization of Ottoman Diplomatic Documents Dating from the 13th to the 20th Century
- Erratum
- Erratum to: Comparison of lightweight Japanese tissues for overall stabilization of documents damaged by iron gall ink corrosionand an alternative to silk screen frames
