Persian bagpipes, or: neyanban, presented to the Perth Literary and Antiquarian Society in 1830.

The conservation treatment preceded a technical analysis of the materials and methods present at the bagpipes. The bagpipes were in a poor condition – the leather bag was deflated and creased. The leather itself was dry and brittle, which lead to cracks and areas of loss. 

Technical Analysis

The bagpipes are possibly made of camel skin or goat skin. The ends of the bag are tied with fabric. The skin of one leg is used to attach the chanter, the other one possibly for the mouthpiece. The ‘neck’ area is tied and decorated with leather straps, coloured fabric and hair. There are some indigenous repairs present at the bag. The chanter is made of wood and two bamboo pipes, tuned to the same notes. Distance between holes is 25mm, which suggests that it is designed to be a high pitched instrument.

Treatment

Dry cleaning followed by wet cleaning achieved the removal of the thick layer of loose and ingrained dirt on the bagpipes. During wet cleaning, creasing of the skin was reduced and the original shape of the bagpipes recovered. Cracks and holes in the skin where supported and closed with tinted Japanese paper. The deformed fragments at the end of one of the bamboo pipes were reshaped and reintegrated. During the treatment, both loose reeds had been retrieved and secured. 

The bagpipes are now on permanent display in the new Perth Museum.