• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.370-379
• /
• 2021

In the past, PVAc [poly(vinyl acetate)] was used as a fixative for the conservation of the murals in the murals of the Payathonzu temple located in Bagan, Myanmar. In this study, attention was paid to gel cleaning as a method for stably removing such PVAc fixatives. Based on the recent research trend related to the cleaning of murals in Bagan ruins, 3 types of gelling agents (Nevek^®, Laponite^®RD, Carbopol^®980) and 2 types of organic solvents (Acetone, Dimethyl carbonate) were selected. Six types of gel cleaners were prepared by mixing gelling agents and organic solvents, and the properties and fixative removability of these cleaners were compared. As a result of confirming the properties of the prepared gel cleaners, the pH of the cleaners was all in the weak acidic to weakly alkaline range, which was a stable condition for mural application. Also, there was no difference in the viscosity of the cleaners depending on the type of solvent, but there was a difference depending on the type of gelling agent used. Regarding the weight loss ratio of PVAc, which is an indicator of removability, the exposure conditions of the gel cleaners, the boiling point of the solvent used, and the viscosity of the gelling agent acted as factors affecting. As a result of comparing the removability of gel cleaners, it was confirmed that the solvent's fixative solubility, the volatility of the solvent itself, and the solvent release control properties of the gelling agent had a great effect on the removability of the gel cleaners. In Part 2, the stability and the running applicability of the gel cleaners will be investigated by making mockup samples reflecting the properties of the materials and techniques used to produce the mural paintings in the Payathonzu Temple.

• Conservation Science in Museum
• /
• v.13
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2012

The object artifacts of this study are the iron artifacts owned by the Kyunghee University Central Museum. The surfaces of the iron artifacts are opaque due to the coated materials which are presumed to be paraffin or bee's wax while they are plate-shaped and exist in thickly exfoliated condition caused by severe corrosion developed on the overall surfaces. Therefore, in order to remove the coated materials away from the surfaces of the artifacts rather safely, reversibility tests have been carried out and the conservation treatment was performed upon the basis of and in application of the experimental results. The study methodologies are that: first, the FT-IR analysis was carried out to determine the ingredients of the coating-treated material on the surface; second, by applying various kinds of organic solvents, the kinds of agents that allow the artifact's surface-coating material to be reversible have been identified through experiments; third, the most suitable agent for removing coating material was selected and applied to the real artifacts on the basis of the results of the reversibility tests. Results from the study: first, as a result of the FT-IR analysis, the coating agent used on the artifacts was identified to be of the same ingredients as those of paraffin; second, among organic solvents, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene and methyl alcohol were identified to be usable for dissolving paraffin whereas toluene was judged to be the most suitable for removing the coating agent; third, when applying the selected agents on the real artifacts, due to the fact that removing the whole paraffin might cause the artifact to disintegrate, the paraffin of only the part that covered the surfaces opaquely was removed using cotton swab or gauze, thus completing the conservation treatment.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.123-142
• /
• 2020

We attempted an experimental study of lost-wax casting to reconstruct the Gilt-bronze pensive Bodhisattva; The main object we aimed to reconstruct was the Korean national treasure No.83, Gilt-bronze pensive Bodhisattva(Maitreya); thus, we scientifically analyzed and measured the alloy ratio and casting method. Initially, the alloy ratio we used during the preliminary experiment was Cu:Sn:Pb = 95.5:4.0:0.5; we then increased tin and lead by 2.5% to consider vaporization during the main experiment. After applying lost-wax casting, we realized that 30% rosin contributed to proper hardness after the wax hardness experiment. The microstructure revealed normal casting character(α-Cu, δ), and the results of the chemical analysis are identical to those of previous studies. The analysis of the mold suggests the presence of quartz powder for structural stability and fire-resistance along with other organic materials whose contribution is still unknown. We expect that our research will serve to provide basic data for advanced studies in the future.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.132-149
• /
• 2011

In ancient period, a variety of inorganic or organic pigments had been used as colorants in various kinds of religious and secular paintings such as tomb paintings and wall and scroll paintings in buddhist temples, and danchung(cosmic patterns) for the surface of wooden buildings. This study discusses the results obtained from an analysis of the pigments on the wall paintings of Yeongsanjeon(Hall of Vulture Peak) in Tongdo temple by a qualitative analysis using a field-XRF. The results can be briefly summarized as follows. Firstly, assuming from the major components examined from F-XRF analysis, raw materials of pigment of each color are: red to be Cinnabar(HgS) or Hematite($Fe_2O_3$); white to be White Lead[$2PbCO_3{\cdot}Pb(OH)_2$] in most cases and Calcite($CaCO_3$) or Chalk($CaCO_3$), Kaolin($Al2O_3{\cdot}SiO_2{\cdot}4H_2O$) in some cases; yellow to be Yellow Ocher[$FeO(OH){\cdot}nH_2O$]; black to be carbon(C); green on the painted surface to be Celadonite[$K(Mg,Fe^{2+})(Fe^{3+},Al)(Si_4O_{10})(OH)_2$] in most cases; dark green on the halo of figures to be Malachite[$CuCO_3{\cdot}Cu(OH)_2$], Copper Green[$2CuO{\cdot}CO_2{\cdot}H_2O$] or Atacamite[$Cu_2Cl(OH)_3$]. Secondly, incarnadine and pink were made by mixing with more than two pigments such as red and white for making various tone of colors. The qualitative analysis of pigments on the wall paintings of Yeongsanjeon, in conclusion, displays that the all pigments for ancient periods are inorganis pigments. However, it has the limitation to identify a definite kinds of mineral for each pigment because it was not possible to collect samples from cultural heritage for conducting a crystalline analysis of XRD.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.70-79
• /
• 2015

This study was carried out to analyze deterioration characteristics of color-pigments painted Hanji to preserve and restore the cultural properties. On the traditional painting technique, glue was used with pigments in various ways for painting, but it eventually caused the deterioration of paintings. Thus, five colors were selected and analyzed for this study for investigating their characteristics of deteriration. Three kinds of glues (Wugyo, Nokgyo, and Togyo) and two kinds of pigments (Chinese and Gilsang) were painted on the Hanji for the accelerated aging test. And then color fastness of pigments and tensile strength of painted Hanji were measured for the estimation of deterioration degree. The results of SEM-EDS showed that Chinese pigments including blue, yellow, green, and red were composed of inorganic substances but the brown was organic substance. Gilsang pigments were composed mainly of Si and Ti ions. Color fastness of the Gilsang pigment blue, yellow, green, and brown were better than those of Chinese. Chinese pigment brown with organic substance showed the worst color fastness. Generally, Chinese pigments painted Hanji showed higher tensile strength than Gilsang in the accelerated aging test. Hanji treated with Chinese pigment and Nokgyo (antler glue) blends and Gilsang pigment and Togyo (rabbit pelt glue) blends showed higher tensile strength than the others. And Andong Hanji showed the highest tensile strength.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.18 s.18
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2006

Absolute ages for three pieces of organic materials such as wood and shell were determined with radio-carbon concentrations and two potsherds with thermoluminescence measurements. Radiocarbon contents of each sample were compared with those of modern standard oxalate(NBS SRM4990C) and calculated radiocarbon ages of them. Quartz grains with diameter of $90\sim150{\mu}m$ were extracted from potsherds and used for measuring the archaeodose. Annual dose were calculated with measuring the alpha count rates and water contents and analysing $K_2O$ concentration of both potsherds and soils. Radiocarbon ages of organic materials were in the ranges of $4\sim2C$ BC and Quartz grain techniques for thermoluminescence dating showed 170 BC ud 210 BC respectively. It was found that the results of radiocarbon dating and TL dating were accorded with each other. But the deviations of TL dating have shown 13% and 20% respectively. It need to reduce the deviations.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.226-245
• /
• 2019

Beopjusa Gwaebultaeng (Large Buddhist Painting), designated as Treasure No. 1259, was painted in 1766 and featured Yeorae (Buddha) at the center in the style of a single figure. It is the longest existing buddhist painting and was created by Duhun, a painter who was representative of 18th century Korean artists. His other remaining work is Seokgayeorae Gwaebultaeng (1767) in Tongdosa Temple. Considering their same iconography, they are assumed to have used the same underdrawing. Duhun had a superb ability to maintain a consistent underdrawing, while most painters changed theirs within a year. The Beopjusa painting carries significance because it was not only painted earlier than the one in Tongdosa, but also indicates possible relevance to the royal family through its records. Beopjusa Temple is also the site of Seonhuigung Wondang, a shrine housing the spirit tablet of Lady Yi Youngbin, also known as Lady Seonhui. Having been built only a year before Beopjusa Gwaebultaeng was painted, it served as a basis for the presumption that it has a connection to the royal family. In particular, a group of unmarried women is noticeable in the record of Beopjusa painting. The names of some people, including Ms. Lee, born in the year of Gyengjin, are recorded on the Bonginsa Temple Building, the construction of which Lady Yi Youngbin and Princess Hwawan donated money to. In this regard, they are probably court ladies related to Lady Yi Youngbin. The connection of Beopjusa Gwaebultaeng with the royal family is also verified by a prayer at the bottom of the painting, reading "JusangJusamJeonhaSumanse (主上主三殿下壽萬歲, May the king live forever)." While looking into the historical characteristics of this art, this study took an approach based on scientific analysis. Damages to Beopjusa Gwaebultaeng include: bending, folding, wrinkles, stains due to moisture, pigment spalling, point-shaped pigment spalling, and pigment penetration to the lining paper at the back. According to the results of an analysis of the painting pigments, white lead was used as a white pigment, while an ink stick and indigo were used for black. For red, cinnabar and minium were used independently or were combined. For purple, organic pigments seem to have been used. For yellow, white lead and gamboge were mixed, or gamboge was painted over white lead, and gold foil was adopted for storage. As a green pigment, atacamite or a mixture of atacamite and malachite was used. Azurite and smalt were used separately or together as blue pigments.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.114-125
• /
• 2016

Lacquer is one of the most widely used natural resin in East Asia since Neolithic Age. As a major ingredient of lacquerware, lacquer is waterproof, insect-proof and rot-proof to be durable and anti-abrasion, generally utilized for mainly painting purpose. According to lacquerware excavated from several sites of Japan and China, lacquerware seems to appear in Neolithic Age. On the other hand in case of excavation research in Korea, lacquerwares are found after the Bronze Age. The initial purpose of lacquer is estimated to be adhesive, regarding the literatures mentioning bitumen(Yeoksceong ), animal glue(Kyeo) and egg alumen(Nanbaek). Especially piece of jar coffin unearthed in Pyeongtaek Daechu-ri site had trace of restoration by lacquer and hemp as an evidence of lacquer for adhesion in Pre-Three Kingdoms period. Since then a trend to restore the broken ceramics with lacquer and decorate with golden foil lasted especially in Joseon Dynasty. In the field of gold plated lacquer method, mother-of-pearl inlaying technique for lacquerware and restoration of buildings, lacquer is still used as adhesive. Due to matter of reversibility lacquer is being avoided for conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. Lacquer as a traditional material for adhesive since ancient times, however, has advantage in adhesion strength and durability. Because synthetic resin adhesive has problem of emission of volatile organic compounds and aging over time, lacquer receives attention recently. On the contrary, by combination adhesive from mixing lacquer and animal glue, already proved the possibility of applicability and chemical modification. A research to utilize lacquer as modern paint or functional material is also conducted continuously also in China and Japan. To put traditional material into practical use and modernize, chemical research from the molecular level of the lacquer is necessary in the near future.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.243-254
• /
• 2015

In this study, the stability of the adhesive was determined through the Oddy Test that is Verification Test for potential damage by various materials. And to find the factor causing the corrosion of the metal samples, the adhesives and coatings those are usually used in the metal preservation process were selected and treated on the samples. Six kinds of adhesives and four kinds of metal specimens Fe, Pb, Cu, Ag were used. As results, the weight change showed high increasement in the rate of weight change 29.87% of Fe sample. The chromaticity measurement showed the high change value of the Cellulose-based adhesive. In case of the VOCs test from adhesive by using GC-MS, Acetic acid was detected from all six kinds of the adhesives. Compared to cellulose-based adhesives and the other adhesives, the amount of VOCs per 1mg concentration is higher than 900 times and was detected small amount of Formic acid. This is assumed to be facilitated by acid impurities and the light. This reaction was considered as the result of reducing a large amount of molecular and of generating a large amount of Nox. And thus the reacted sulfur changes was considered as the factor for causing corrosion.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.543-553
• /
• 2010

This study was focused on the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of field soil of the Baekje Kingdom from K wongbawigol site in Jeongdongri, Buyeo and whether the bricks from Songsanri Tombs and Muryung's Royal Tomb were made of soil from this site. Soil samples show the similar size fraction as a silt loam and acidic soil, whereas some samples have the enrichment of organic matter, P and S. Also, they have similar geochemical behavior of elements and similar mineral phases consisting of quartz, plagioclase, orthoclase, vermiculite, mica and kaolinite. The enrichment of iron oxide is found in some soil layer, including the iron oxide mottling and precipitation along plant roots and they are attributed to repeat oxidation and reduction environments due to flooding and drainage of field soil. It's anthropogenic alteration by human activity. Especially, it is assumed that the concentration of the iron oxides found in bricks from Muryung's Royal Tomb and Songsanri Tombs is the additional evidence that soil in this study is probably the raw materials of those bricks.