Marble Sculpture Conservation

In it david rinne describes common problems encountered when conserving marble objects and the appropriate treatments beginning with the surface and progressing though to the center.

Marble sculpture conservation.

Air pollution cleaning consolidation marble sculpture stone terracotta abstract. Our team has completed a variety of sculpture conservation projects that range from routine sculpture cleaning and maintenance to repairs and fabrication of replacement parts. Magnesium silicate saturated with deionized water is a safe and simple cleaner. Other reasons for the discoloration of marbles are discussed.

Howard s conservators have worked on sculptures made of bronze metal stone wood and have experience with stone and marble monuments. Due to this variety this specialty demands an extensive knowledge of sculpture materials and fabrication techniques both historic and contemporary. The marble sculpture had been disfigured by a dark layer of embedded dirt and grime that had accumulated over many years. The most usual treatments are.

The last section of the text explains elements of treatment such as disassembly reconstruction and the final state of the sculpture. 3 there are cases of colour tinting of marble statues dating to the mid 19th century produced by john gibson and others working in the neo classical style. Howard extensively photo documented the pre treatment condition of the monument. The field of sculpture conservation covers a broad spectrum of three dimensional works of art which include ceramic plaster marble metal stone wood glass mixed media as well as man made materials.

Before any conservation treatment occurred b r. As a general conservation measure however vulnerable marble sculpture and statuary are often protected with covers during the winter months. Sulfuration is the main destroyer of marble producing imaginary not true patina.