Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 32/2. (2012)
Articles
A STANDPOINT ON THE RESTORATION OF MEDIEVAL CERAMICS Attila pokorny Mures County Museum, Tärgu Mures, RO The paper presents the phases of ceramic restoration, conservation, display and storage, also focusing on the problems which may arise in time. Restoration aims to reconstruct the profile of a ceramic artefact in order to place these objects in exhibitions, but such interventions are also preventing their degradation during storage. Keywords: pottery, stoves, restoration, deposit, enamel The pottery restoration process aims at regaining the profile of a vessel, as accurate as possible, in order to re-compose it and get the next best to the original shape. Thus, it also prevents and diminishes its time decay and not least it prepares it for exhibition. After the restoration, an increased attention is required for the packing and the preservation involves nevertheless problems much bigger than in the case of the pot shards initially recovered from the earth. The adhesive chosen has to be used very carefully, especially if the object needs desalination and moistening beforehand. At the same time, some adhesives tend to alter the initial colour after being applied. Inadequate stick of elements is likely to lead to continuation of the degrading process. If the case shows that the elements (shards) of a ceramic container have a greater tendency towards decomposing or crumbling, their stick is basically harmful. As it adheres to the surface that crumbles, the adhesive separates the superficial stratum from the rest of the fragment, further causing an advanced disintegration. If the cohesion of the glue is too high, as for instance when using the epoxy type of resins and the object suffers a shock, the original fragments will break and yet the adhesive will not disintegrate. Different types of pottery require different types of adhesives. For example, solid, porous pottery objects can be stuck with several kinds of synthetic resins, which soften at warm temperatures. Authentic restoration of an object can be made only in the case in which it lacks saline or soil sediments and the pieces fit exactly. This results in the possibility to use a thick layer of adhesive and the physical force required would thus be minimum, fact that implies a certain degree of experience. The contact between the fragments is maintained until the adhesive hardens. We can even make use of the adhesive tapes, provided that they are removed after the stick. It is nevertheless forbidden to use such tapes in the case of crumbling surfaces, painted or enamelled ones. In these situations, a sand tray is used to ease the process. If there are pieces missing from an object, the restoration involves their substitution, since the physical stability of the receptacle MARISIA XXXII, p. 215-219
