Kovács Petronella (szerk.): Isis - Erdélyi magyar restaurátor füzetek 7. (Székelyudvarhely, 2008)
Herceg Zsuzsanna: Új anyagok, új eljárások a szilikátalapú műtárgyak restaurálásában
Abstracts Miklós Zoltán Tradition keeping or constraint job? The annually organised conservation conference in the Haáz Rezső Museum in Székelyudvarhely generally offers a possibility for opening exhibitions. The intention of the organisers of the conference is bifold: to help the participants in enlarging their knowledge concerning the conservation and restoration of objects of art and to give them insight into the traditional material heritage of Udvarhelyszék through these exhibitions. To underline the latter aspect, a popular scientific lecture is occasionally also given on the topic of the exhibition. An ethnographic exhibition titled “Heritage” made part of the professional conference in 2006. The short lecture read atthe conference aimed at the presentation of the relationships experienced at the preparation of the exhibition, which provided new data that can complement the material remains. The traditionalism that can be observed in the modem rural Székely villages rather mirrors the lack of material potentials than a life strategy consciously chosen by the inhabitants. The use of sheds with daubed walls and smallscale cultivation with draught animals is not a conscious nature-friendly lifestyle; it illustrates what the agriculture of the region affords. Handicrafts can be discussed in the same context, since the material and work demand of handicraft products is rarely recovered. The temporary exhibition shows representative handicrafts that are still actively practised in certain settlements of the region. We also involved craftspeople who have a reputation in the circle of their profession and are capable of preparing representative objects. The craftspeople of the presented three crafts - shingle making, straw plaiting, and basket weaving - work with different raw materials, their products meet different demands and the working processes and the end products are also different, just like their clients. However, identical/ similar stimulating factors can be found in the basis of practising these professions in all the three cases. A smaller or a larger productive unit — be it an individual, a family or a small enterprise - is always regulated by an efficient respond to the demands. This is the only way it can work since the products primarily serve the producer’s feeding and material well-being. The (exterior) observer living in a world of technology and modernisation generally sees a momentum of the preservation of traditions in the activity of a craftsman who makes use live workforce. It should be stressed, however, that this social layer rarely if ever acts under the aegis of traditions, they actually subordinate the professional activity to the demands of the market. The (skilful) versatility characteristic of the members of old peasant communities and the handicrafts practised in modern rural villages have come from the constraint of exigency. Miklós Zoltán Ethnographer Haáz Rezső Museum RO-535600 Odorheiu Secuiesc str., Kossuth u. 20. Tel.: +40-266-218-375, E-mail: mikloszoli@yahoo.com István Sajó What is X-ray diffraction good for? The study describes the method, which is suitable for the demonstration and identification of crystalline materials, from the aspects of museologists. The diffraction of the X-ray reflected from the sample or passing through it is measured, and the crystalline components of the sample are deduced from it. The places and the intensities of the peaks in the curve of the measurements (diffractogram) individually characterize the various crystalline matters. X-ray consists of photons, which do not cause lasting deformation in most of the materials. The analysis does not alter the sample. The geometry of the sample area of modem instmments is larger - a few hundred mms which enables the analysis of objects of arts without taking samples. X-ray diffraction instmments are fixed, and the object to be examined must be carried into the laboratory. The first step of a successful analysis is asking the right question. The most appropriate type of analysis can be chosen only when we know the question. X-ray diffraction gives only indirect information on the chemical composition. It is not suitable for the analysis of the organic components and the binding matters of pigments, and that of glasses and amorphous samples of glassy texture. The quantity of the sample necessary for the analysis depends on the material type, the purpose of the analysis, etc. Generally, a few mg are sufficient, and no more than a few hundred mg are enough for even the most sophisticated analysis. The flat sample is prepared from the material to be analysed after grinding and pulverizing. A flat surface of a few square cm is the ideal size. When it is important to preserve the original condition of the sample, the analysis can be made without pulverizing. These measurements yield less information but still enough to answer a number of questions. Here are a few examples how X-ray diffraction analysis can support conservation work and the better recognition of the material. 141
