• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.4
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• pp.1-16
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• 2003

For the conservation treatment of the Central Asia mural painting which is to be exhibited in the new museum in Yongsan, we analyzed the pigments used in this mural painting and examined to identify the species of the straw in the wall. We also analyzed the species of the wood of the wooden protective frame and the material of the paper in it, in order to review the material and technique of the conservation treatment performed before the mural painting had been brought to the National Museum of Korea in 1916. The results were as follows: the black pigments of Bon4075 and Bon4078 is carbon(C); the white pigment on the background is gypsum[Ca(SO)₄(H₂O)₂]; the red pigment is lead oxide(Pb₃O₄) and hematite(Fe₂O₃) etc. The straw, which had been mixed into the wall to prevent the wall from cracking, was proved to be either wheat straw or oats straw. The wooden protective frame, which protects the mural painting now, was proved to be made of Salix, Populus, Cryptomeria japonica and pine. The paper discovered in the frame was proved to be made of the bark of a mulberry.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2016

A study on conservation of outdoor painted sculptures has begun to receive attention as increasing numbers of the sculptures, but it is still in an early stage in South Korea. In the case of a painted outdoor object which has been exhibited in National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), 'Black nana' produced by Niki de Saint Phalle in 1964, deterioration was observed, such as flaking and discolouration of paint layers due to ultraviolet light and a sudden temperature change during an outdoor exhibition. For this reason, prior to treatment of the sculpture, to find out the painting techniques and materials applied, cross section, FT-IR, Raman and Py-GC/Mass were conducted. As a result, the type and colour of the paint agree with results of the other studies as well as deterioration pattern. It is expected that the results of this study will be utilized for treatment proposal and conservation material selection of 'Black nana'. In addition, to determine the artist's intention of the artist, cooperation with the foundation of Niki de Saint Phalle and artist's assistants will be carried out.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.22
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• pp.53-68
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• 2019

Two lime-soil mixture barrier tombs were excavated from the tomb complex of the Woo Family of the Danyang Wu clan dating to the Joseon dynasty in Godeung-dong, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Relevant records offer information for more precisely dating these tombs and identifying their occupants. Tomb No. 4, in which a married couple was interred, has a corbeled square ceiling and inscriptions and paintings on its outer walls. The conservation treatment and an infrared inspection revealed that they were intended to express mourning. Tomb No. 6 has a corbeled rectangular ceiling and a single individual interred within. As the basic structure of the tomb was partially damaged in the process of disassembling it while moving the burial site, it was planned to exhibit the tomb outdoors after the remains and relics are collected. However, as the conservation treatment revealed the presence of funeral fans and pitch, and since the remaining structure clearly demonstrates the features of lime-soil mixture barrier tombs from the Joseon dynasty, the plan was changed following a meeting of an advisory council that decided in favor of presenting the tomb indoors. According to the analysis, the pitch is assumed to be resin of a rather low purity due to the immixture of foreign substances. The two tombs are expected to serve as important materials for related research, such as changes by period in the forms of Joseon-era tombs.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.25
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• pp.51-62
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• 2021

The Belt with Rhinoceros-Horn Ornaments(known as a seodae in Korean) from the family of Princess Deokon's descendants housed in the National Hangeul Museum underwent emergency treatment for a special exhibition in 2019 upon the request of the National Hangeul Museum. Priority was given to the restoration of the original form of the severely damaged belt and the repair of its detached horn ornaments. Prior to the conservation treatment, researchers conducted a theoretical study of the belt with rhinoceros-horn adornments to learn the names of its structural components and the changes in form that the type experienced by period, thereby establishing a plan for conservation treatment and setting a direction. Among the belts worn by officials from the Joseon dynasty, rhinoceros-horn ornaments were attached to those of officials of the first rank and were considered the most precious behind the king's belt with its jade ornaments. The rhinoceros horn adorning the belt is classified into three categories according to quality. This belt has horn adornments of the highest quality, falling under the "grape design" category with dark brown dots concentrated in the center. The belt has a rectangular shape and lacks a buckle, reflecting a popular form from the nineteenth century. The structure of the belt was identified over the process of conservation treatment, offering information about its method of production. In addition, comparison of the relic with belts with rhinoceros-horn ornaments depicted in Joseon-period portraits of officials allowed the identification of changes in formal features and the detailed structures of belts with rhinoceros-horn ornaments by period. It confirmed that the belt subject to conservation treatment shows the features of belts with rhinoceros-horn ornaments produced in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.9
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Influence of lighting for exhibition normally used in museum on discoloration of relics and weakening of materials was reviewed, and influence of currently used lightings discoloration of dyed Korean paper similar to relic and change of material quality was directly tested. There were small differences in influence made on dyed Korean paper according to exhibition lighting, and based on these differences, method to select lighting safer for relics were explored. As a result of testing 4 types of fluorescent lamps, one lamp of them showed little influence on discoloration and change of material quality, which is judged to be proper for use in museum.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.368-382
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• 2020

It was confirmed that a white porcelain figurine in underglaze iron was damaged after exhibition. This study analyzes the current state of salt damage on the artifact and identifies the factors contributing to its deterioration by examining the material characteristics of the artifact and exhibition environment. The analysis will thus assist in preparing a conservation scheme for artifacts. The crystallized carbonate on the surface of the white porcelain figurine is a water-soluble alkali salt with high hygroscopicity and high solubility in water. This solubility increases as the temperature increases. The figurine was low-fired at approximately 1000℃. A lead glaze was applied, and thin cracks were formed on the glazed surface, indicating poor surface properties. Our analysis suggested that the showcase used in the exhibition likely created a moist environment resulting from condensation, as it was exposed to high temperature and relative humidity, particularly in comparison to the exhibition room where the temperature was regulated using an air conditioner. In addition, the artifacts in the showcase were exposed to sudden changes in temperature and relative humidity as the air conditioner was repeatedly turned on and off. Therefore, it can be deduced that the soluble salt remaining on the white porcelain figurine moved toward the surface of the relatively weak glaze as a result of the temperature, and the crystallized salt exacerbated surface damage as the moisture evaporated in a dry environment.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.11
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Conservation re-treatment of dagger and scabbard in Gyeongju National Museum, which were excavated from Gyerim-ro Tomb No. 14 (Treasure No. 635) was carried out after a wide-scale dissembling in order for publishing a report and holding a special exhibition. The interior shape of the iron dagger which was disclosed by ornament plates was confirmed by X-ray investigation. The results of XRF analysis which was used to analyse compositions of the golden ornament plates reveal that having more than 3% of copper distinguishes it from other Silla gold artifacts. The conservation treatment progressed in a way that surface contaminants were removed and insecure areas were consolidated. The original shape of the iron dagger and scabbard was found after adhering and restoration. With the ornament plates staying on the iron dagger, a stand in acrylic for display and storage was made, which is able to place the dagger and scabbard in the safest way.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.5
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• pp.43-47
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• 2004

The five pieces (Bon 4054, 4074, 4077, 4096 and Bon 4097)of the Central Asia murals housed in the National Museum of Korea were conserved for approximately 2 years. The Central Asia murals conserved for this time have undergone the processes of cleaning, reinforcing pigment layers, facing to protect the pigment layers disassembling, separating wooden frames reinforcing the wall layers, attaching supports to the wall layers, removing facing and making picture frames. They were conserved with emphasis placed on reinforcing the peeled pigment layers and the weakened walls and on improving the structural problem of the exhibit frames.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.7
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• pp.3-10
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• 2006

The bronze bowl with lid excavated from Eunnyeongchong Tumulus in Gyeongju had been united in the past and then damaged. We removed deteriorated adhesive and other impurities from it and reunited it. Some fragments of the artifact has been lost; in particular, only half of the whole main body remains. Therefore, it needed restoration treatment for exhibition and conservation. The lid, relatively much part of which remains, was treated with the method that could easily detach the restored part; the main body with much restored part was united using epoxy resin so that the restored part could well bear the weight of the artifact.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.14
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• pp.1-5
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• 2013

This study was conducted to analysis and conserve a lacquered sheath excavated from Soochon-ri, Gongju, Korea. The lacquered sheath was collected together with iron relics. The lacquered sheath was damaged and lost the parts by the external pressure. Many parts were adhered with the rust. Firstly, the object was understanded to have the relation with the iron materials excavated together through the X-ray photographs. As the analysis of the lacquer layers, the report conducted to a study the method of production. After the analysis of relic, the conservation treatment was performed for the stability of original shape. And we made the protection frame for the storage and exhibition.