Műtárgyvédelem 26., 1997 (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum)
Várfalvi Andrea - Peller Tamás Károly: Az Esterházy-gyűjteménybe tartozó XVII. századi magyar nyereg restaurálása
not be unambiguously identified during preliminary analyses, a new substance was mixed from beeswax and resin of appropriate hardness that was used in re-fitting the stones. Following the cleaning of their silver riveting with Argentol, deformed plates were straightened with hammering. Missing rivets were substituted for with new ones also made from silver. Their stems, however, were shaped differently in order to make subsequent distinctions between the original and new rivets possible. Gilded silver looped saddle rings were cleaned with Argentol as well. Thereafter, mechanical damage to the metal surface was repaired. In addition to prevent new corrosion, precious metal parts were preserved using a 3% solution of Paraloid B 72. Since the original iron loops had been broken during cleaning owing to their extremely corroded state, they had to be replaced with new ones. Fragments of the original ron loops, however, were conserved using a protective layer of Paraloid B 72, and added to the artifact separately. The limewood frame of the saddle fell apart and was incomplete. It was conserved by glueing and adding components of modem wood, after which the saddle bow, pommel and side panels were fastened with steel screws. The parchment cover, that defined the saddle’s entire structure became very weak. It could be shaped only in a steam chamber. After its torn parts had been sewn, it could be mounted and tightened onto the wooden saddle frame. Once the parchment dried, it regained the hypothesized original shape of the saddle. Textile parts of the saddle, composed of embroidered velvet and patterned damask and stuffed with hair, were cleaned as a single unit, without sewing. This work was carried out using surface active compounds as well as organic solvents diluted with water. During the sewing phase of conservation, feeble tissue was supported, missing parts were re-fitted and loose threads reinforced. Leather lining and seams were first softened in a steam chamber, then treated with cleaning emulsion. These leather parts were stretched and pressed for drying. Deformations and wrinkles on the strapping were not too significant therefore their cleaning and conservation with cleaning emulsion could be carried out without steaming. Tom parts and modern additions were always glued using rice starch. As a final step, materials of various types, restored separately, had to be composed. Restorers had to make decisions during this procedure that often deviated from the original manufacturing techniques. In these cases, our aim naturally was to re-create an optimal state, the possible closest to the structure and looks of the original saddle in spite of the considerable damage it had suffered. Szerzők címe/Author’s address: Várfalvi Andrea textil-bőr restaurátor/textile-lcathcr conservator M. A. Kelet-Ázsiai Művészeti Múzeum 1093 Budapest, Üllői út 33-37. Peiler Tamás Károly fém-ötvös és könyvrcstaurátor/metal and paper conservator M. A. Országos Széchényi Könyvtár 1827 Budapest, Budavári Palota „F” épület 89
