OBJECT #1
Flambé Pot
Details
The object dimension (restored pot): 25cm(L) x 25cm(W) x 22cm(H). The dusty bag of sherds contained 7 large, 65 small and many tiny sherds . Intial dry – run found a large area of loss at point of impact
Treatment
All sherds edges were cleaned using stain removal technique. Small sherds were bonded to form medium size sherds. While bonding, they were always ‘test-fit’ to form the complete pot in order reduce any misalignment issue.
After a few medium size sherds were formed and bonded to the base, missing areas (internal) identified were plastered, secondary fiils applied/ smoothened and colour – retouched.
Similar external surface treatment was applied after the pot was fully bonded. A glossy glaze topcoat was applied on 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
A silicon mould of the lower bow portion was made. The plaster cast bow part created was modified to conform to the shape and details (left hand grip)
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 of the object surface.
OBJECT #3
7501 Chairman Mao porcelain bowl
Details
Object dimension: 14cm(L) x 14cm(W) x 6cm(H). The translucent bowl had old repairs that had aged and needs removal and re- restoration. Airbrushed area using paint( both sides) had degraded and adhesive used had yellowed.
Treatment
The overpainted (airbrushed) area removed carefully, revealing the badly abraded surrounding surface. The yellowed adhesive (aged epoxy) was removed using paint stripper.
There was a rim chip, followed by a stained hairline crack. Stain removal techniques using different chemicals, adjusting the strength and the PH value in order to remove the stained area 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 to conform to the rim curves.
OBJECT #4
Monkey God porcelain figure
Details
The dimension: 11cm(L) x 17cm(W) x 17cm(H). The figure was received with the center for the golden headband, golden cudgel (rod) missing and a badly restored yellow waist belt tip.
Treatment
The design and detail 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 were used to removed the yellow waist belt tip.
For the creation of the rod, an object with similar dimension was used: drinking straw. A Plaster cast of the straw (rod) was made based on the silicon mould created and Airbrush painting 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
Position of the fingers and the design of the hairpin were available upon research. Epoxy putty was used to mould all the missing areas.
Acrylic fillers were used to fill the gaps between the bonded edges. 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 body requires the use of gold leaf. Acrylic size was applied on the surface and polished (burnished) until it produce the lustre effect.