Műtárgyvédelem, 2006 (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum)

Összefoglalók

solutions characteristic of various periods. The bed is composed of four parts: the footboard, the headboard and two side boards. The fast assembling is helped by metal hooks at the ends of the side boards, which can be passed through the two holes of the perforated metal plates fixed to the legs of the boards.

The entire surface of the object was very dusty and dirty. The varnish became matt and worn and it could barely be seen under the dirt. At an earlier date, wide stripes were enchased in it down to the wooden base. The marquetry did not stick and at several places the wooden and bone inlays fell out and got lost. Some of the mouldings and the two back legs were incomplete.

The analysis of the raw materials of the object largely contributed to the research of the technology and the history of the object and mainly to the process of restoration. As traces of insect chewing could be observed on both legs and the side boards, Wolmanol BX disinfectant was injected into the holes taking care that no solution got on the exterior flogged and varnished surface. Then the detached wood and bone inlays were glued back with the mixture of bone and skin glues - after the determination of the glue and the removal of the old glue. The less persistent dirt was removed from the object with Rotring Tikky 30 and Wallmaster natural latex rubbers, while the rest was vacuumed. Then the varnished surfaces were cleaned with a vinyl rubber and the mixture of tetra- hydrofuran and water followed by polishing. The old glue layer could easily be removed from the elements to the glued back after soaking them in carboxy- methyl-cellulose pulp prepared with water.

Before replacing the losses, analyses were made to determine the tree species from which the wood had come. Sections were made in radial and tangential directions and in cross-section, which were analysed under a binocular microscope with transparent light. The replacement of the missing veneer, bone inlays, mouldings and legs were made from natural materials similar in appearance to the original ones. An analysis preceded the production of the bone replacements as well. The bone types were determined after studying the surfaces of the bone ornaments under a microscope.

The reconstruction of the flogged surfaces and the replacement of the missing painting were made with watercolour applied on the surface with a sponge and a brush following the original pattern. The worn surfaces were retouched with watercolours. Black wax replaced the black filler that dropped from the contours of the inlays and the chasing. The retouching of the coating was preceded by analyses of the number and materials of the varnish layers. The missing areas of the varnish layer were filled in with shellac. Finally, to provide a uniform appearance, the varnished surfaces were covered with a coating made of beeswax and carnauba wax dissolved in turpentine and, the solubility characteristics of which is different from that of the shellac.

The object was restored in the academic year of 2003-2204 within the frames of the object conservator training project carried out in the co-operation of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Museum. Petronella Kovács was the supervisor of the diploma work.

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