The Development of a Mold and Cast Technique for Infilling on Varnished Chinese Export Laquerware
Date
2015-12
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
While China continues to capture newspaper headlines during discussions of
economic growth and competition with the United States, much has been forgotten
about early 18th century trade between China and the United States. The results of
luxury export trade can still be seen through current patterns of consumption, the
growth of the United States economy, and revived interest in Chinese designs still
evident in European and American homes. During research conducted during the
summer of 2014, the conservation treatment of a Chinese export lacquerware shawl
box, 1964.0084D, from the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate collection, was
performed. The shawl box was chosen as it exemplified the monumental impact
Chinese export had on developing trading ports across America, specifically focusing
on Salem, Massachusetts. The shawl box was analyzed through the techniques of
pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS), ultraviolet light (UV)
auto-fluorescence, and chemical staining in order to accurately assess the current
condition of the object and develop an appropriate conservation treatment plan. After
learning one lacquerware conservation technique through the shawl box treatment, I
aimed to develop an alternative methodology that would eliminate some material issue
concerns that arose during the shawl box treatment and facilitate the treatment of
larger losses. This thesis aims to develop a mold and cast system which completely
eliminates the use of water while reducing the amount of time an object is handled
during the conservation treatment of varnished Chinese export lacquerware pieces. A
varnished Chinese export lacquerware screen, 2004.0030.002, in the Winterthur
Museum and Country Estate collection was used to carry out testing for the purposes
of this study. This study has informed further treatment of the varnished Chinese
export lacquerware screen, 2004.0030.002, and presents a new method of treating
large losses on varnished Chinese export lacquerware
Description
Keywords
Art Conservation