OBJECT #1
Flambé Pot
Details
The restored object dimension: 25cm(L) x 25cm(W) x 22cm(H). Initial sherds: 7 large, 65 small and many tiny sherds.
Treatment
Sherd edges were cleaned using stain removal technique. Small sherds were bonded together to form medium-sized sherds.
These medium-sized sherds were ‘test-fit’ and bonded to the base using two-part adhesive. Areas of loss on the internal walls were plastered, secondary fills applied, smoothened, and lastly colour-retouched.
Similar external surface treatment was applied after the pot was fully bonded. A glossy glaze topcoat was applied to the colour-retouched area
OBJECT #2
Dehua Mulan poreclain figure
Details
The object dimension: 20cm(L) x 215cm(W) x 30cm(H). Figure was received with a top portion of the bow (Photo 1), a right-hand thumb and a left-hand index finger missing.
Treatment
The missing bow part was made using a plaster mould cast from the existing lower part of the bow. Modifications were made to details such as the right palm gripping the bow
The missing thumb and finger were created using two-part epoxy putty. They were made thin and bonded to the main object using adhesive. Bulked epoxy resin with colour-matched pigments applied on the plaster bow, thumb and finger surface . The applied surface was abraded and polished to achieve the gloss.
OBJECT #3
7501 Chairman Mao porcelain bowl
Details
The object dimension: 14cm(L) x 14cm(W) x 6cm(H). The translucent bowl had old repairs that had aged and need removal and re- restoration. Airbrushed area using paint( both sides) had degraded and the adhesive used had yellowed.
Treatment
The overpainted (airbrushed) area was removed carefully, revealing the badly abraded surrounding surface. The yellowed adhesive (aged epoxy) was removed using a paint stripper.
Stain removal techniques using different chemicals to remove the stained hairline crack
adjusting the strength and the PH value to remove the stains effectively.
The hairline crack was consolidated, and bulked epoxy resin with colour pigments were used to fill the rim chip. The rim fill was abraded and polished
OBJECT #4
Monkey God porcelain figure
Details
The object dimension: 11cm(L) x 17cm(W) x 17cm(H). The golden headband and golden cudgel (rod) were missing. A badly restored yellow waist belt was observed.
Treatment
Details of the headband and the rod were found based on research. Firstly, two part epoxy putty was used to model the headband centre part. Solvent was used to removed the yellow waist belt tip.
For the re-creation of the rod, an object with similar dimensions was used as a mould. The air-brushing method using acrylic paint was applied on the rod surface.
Epoxy resin was used to bond the headband center, yellow belt tip back and the right hand gripping the rod.
OBJECT #5
Seated maiden porcelain figure
Details
Object dimension: 27cm(L) x 15cm(W) x 30cm(H) The figure was received with three right fingers, golden hairpin and parts of the phoenix headdress missing. The ‘skin’ area were not glazed.
Treatment
Details of fingers and the hairpin were available upon research. Epoxy putty was used to mould all the missing parts.
Two-part epoxy resin was used to bond the missing parts to the main object. Colour retouching mediums mixed with suitable powder were used to produce the ‘matt’ and slightly textured skin surface.
The gilded surface of the hairpin and parts of the phoenix’s body requires the use of gold leaf. Acrylic size was applied on the surface and polished (burnished) until it produced the lustre effect.