ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the microbial propagation observed by microscopic methods on miniatures of the Sinebrychoff Museum collection, dating to 18th and 19th centuries. European miniature paintings were painted on ivory or on paper-mash using mainly natural colors, fitted in a metal frame and protected by cover glass. The casing allows penetration of air making the miniature amenable to biodeterioration if exposed to humidity. The casing allows penetration of air making the miniature amenable to biodeterioration if exposed to humidity. Miniature paintings were usually painted on ivory. A large variety of pigments were used for painting the miniatures, inorganic pigments as well as colours from plants. All miniatures were painted in bright colours and the microbial damages were typically observed in one or few colours only. Based on microscopic observations and the obtained cultures, the main organisms colonizing the miniatures were xerophytic fungi and actinobacteria like organisms, the communities resembling those observed in biodeteriorating organic materials elsewhere.
