• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.16
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• pp.82-95
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• 2015

Old Monk by Yun Duseo is realized to use silver paper which is made of rarity material. This sudy investigates reason why silver, that is easily discoloration in environmental condition, is susceptible in present. The method was the surface treatment materials and the base fiber through direct observation, optical instruments and XRF analysis. Based on these results, reproducing experiment was conducted to research materials in paper of Old Monk and the surface treatment technique. The results, the paper was treated 'Dochim' with a mineral having polygonal crystals for improving smoothness and density. XRF analysis result showed high calcium content, therefore, the paper was not used silver, it guess pulverized shells of abalone or other types of shellfish. Accordingly, the research was narrowed down to shells with shiny, reflective surfaces which at the same time contain high amounts of calcium. A new experiment was conducted using unprocessed abalone shells. Through the reproducing experiment, shellfish has high possibility as used mineral in paper. Notwithstanding, this experiment was unable to precisely reproduce the smoothness and shine of the original paper. Further research may therefore be needed.