• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 2021

Conservation treatment that involved filling the lifting parts of wooden cultural heritage is carried out by obtaining wood or wood powder of the same species and mixing it with synthetic resin or natural glue to charge the blank area. Various concentrations and mixing ratios of adhesives and additives are used, depending on the type and condition of the target. Accordingly, in this study, we determined the conditions of the filler suitable for conservation treatment of wooden sculptures with lifted or separated bark in the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The optimal filler conditions for each adhesive were selected based on drying speed, shrinkage and expansion rates, and physical deformation degree. Then, to verify their actual applicability, these fillers were applied to wood and exposed to high-humidity environment and their cross-sections were observed. The fillers showed stable application in the following order: animal glue, PVAc adhesive, acrylic adhesive. In conclusion, a 1:2 mixture of animal glue and wood powder is a suitable filler for conservation treatment of wooden sculpture with lifted bark. The results of this study suggest appropriate ways to stabilize the bark that was lifted or separated from a wooden sculpture, thus enabling the future conservation treatment of the artworks under similar conditions.