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

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.284-295
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• 2020

This study focuses on reinforcement agents for wall damage, such as cracks, breakage, or delamination, for mural paintings from the Payathonzu temple. Experiments were conducted with filling and grouting agents based on the reinforcing method. In the filling reinforcement experiment, different mixing ratios of lime to sand, and additives (jaggery, seaweed glue, and Primal SF-016) were used. In the grouting reinforcement experiment, the mixing ratio of lime and pozzolan was the same, and the additive types were identical to the filling reinforcement experiment. The filling reinforcement experiment showed that there were fewer physical changes such as contraction, with a greater mixing ratio of lime to sand, however, the compressive strength decreased as the mixing ratio increased. With additives, the change in volume of agent decreased and the compressive strength increased, which was especially prominent for jaggery and Primal SF-016. The grouting reinforcement experiment showed that there was a remarkable contraction with an increased amount of moisture that originates from the characteristic of grouting agents that requires flowability. With additives, the water content of the agent decreased, whereas the compressive strength and adhesion increased. Among the additives, Primal SF-016 exhibited the highest compressive strength, and seaweed glue exhibited the most considerable viscosity and adhesion. The study results showed that the characteristics of reinforcement agents vary according to the mixing ratio and additives of the filling and grouting agents. Therefore, it is necessary to selectively apply the mixing ratio and additives for different reinforcement agents considering the wall damage for conservation treatments.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.494-507
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• 2019

A diagnostic investigation of the conservation state of damaged murals of the Payathonzu temple mainly indicated delamination, exfoliation, and contamination of the coloring layer; cracks and damage to the wall; and separation from gaps. In particular, vulnerabilities resulting from cracks in the wall and damage from gaps demand swift reinforcement measures. Ultrasonic testing uncovered damage caused by gaps between the base layer and plastered wall in several areas of the mural, vulnerable parts in the wall around the cracks, and considerable degradation of the physical properties where cracks and gaps were severe. Moisture measurements identified vast disparities in moisture depending on location even within a single area of the mural, and it was clear that these disparities were the result of environmental conditions such as humidity. Damage to the murals in monument 477 was the most severe, and a diagnostic of the physical properties uncovered severe physical damage to the upper part of the mural as well as to the corridor ceiling, thus presenting the need for conservation treatment utilizing scientific diagnosis as well as objective data.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.24
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• pp.117-132
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• 2020

The painting layer of Payathonzu temple mural paintings in the ruins of Bagan Myanmar has been damaged due to various reasons. In this study, the applicability of Neem resin, a traditional Myanmar adhesive, as a fixative on the painting layer was examined. Cow glue and Paraloid B-72 were selected as fixatives in the comparison group, and pseudo-specimens with conditions similar to the original mural paintings were produced to examine the changes before and after applying the fixatives and according to the deterioration experiments. As a result of conducting the experiments and comparing the fixatives, it was found that changes on the surface such as smudge, yellowing and gloss are greater with the application of higher concentration of Neem resin than with other fixatives. However, such changes were relatively small under the condition of 4% concentration. It was also confirmed that chromaticity and glossiness vary greatly between before- and after-application of the fixatives but that such discrepancies tend to decrease at 4% concentration compared to other concentrations. As for fixation strength, it was found that the fixation capacity of Neem resin on the base and painting layers is overall higher than other fixatives as the concentration is increased. Therefore, the applicability of 4% concentration of Neem resin as a fixative on the painting layer was confirmed considering the low surface changes according to environmental factors, low color discrepancy and glossiness, and characteristics of excellent fixation strength. It is believed that the findings of this study could be used as basic data for the preservation of Payathonzu temple mural paintings in the future.