Silhouetted Paper on the Streets of London – Research Trip, Part I
The first week of the team’s recent research trip to London proved both productive and inspiring. The city’s libraries and museums offered a wealth of material, and Negar, Theresa and Yih-chuen made great use of their time among its collections.
While Yih-chuen spent the week carefully sifting through catalogues on Chinese art, Theresa and Negar focused their attention on a wide array of manuscripts. Negar examined numerous Ottoman works, particularly those featuring cut-outs and silhouetted paper, an area closely aligned with the project’s interest in the diversity of decorated paper traditions. Theresa continued her ongoing search for stencilled designs and discovered several notable examples that will contribute to her future research.
A welcome break from the archives came in the form of a much-needed teatime with Dr Jaimee Comstock-Skipp. Her thoughtful insights and generous recommendations opened up further avenues for exploration, and the team greatly appreciated the enriching exchange.
The team of Global Deco Paper extends warm thanks to Dr Michael Erdman and Ursula Sims-Williams for their invaluable support throughout the week, as well as for facilitating access to restricted manuscripts. Their expertise and assistance made the team’s work both smoother and more fruitful.
On Friday evening, Theresa and Negar visited the British Museum during its extended opening hours. There, they spent time reading translations of cuneiform tablets, exploring the Sufi exhibition in the Islamic art gallery, and studying the page of the Great Mongol Shāhnāmah currently on display – depicting the dramatic moment when Rustam shoots an arrow at his half-brother Shaghad.
Over the weekend, Negar – on her first trip to London – enjoyed sightseeing across the city before continuing her work the following week. Theresa, having to go back home on Sunday, returned to the British Library on Saturday, where she encountered additional remarkable specimens of decorated paper. These discoveries will prove valuable as the team prepares for next year’s visit to the BL conservation department.
Stay tuned for next week’s update on part two of Negar and Yih-chuen’s London trip!