A Study on Conservation and Desalination for Iron Weapons During the Korean War from DMZ

The weapons excavated from the de-militarized zones (DMZ) of Korea are vulnerable to corrosion due to the immediate and drastic environmental change. Especially, the chloride ions (Cl⁻) in iron weapons cause active corrosion and require removal. In this study, conservation treatment and de-salination was performed for the discovered weapons from excavation sites of soldiers killed in action during the Korean War. Furthermore, an attempt was made to prepare the most stable plan for conservation treatment through the comparative study of soaking weapons in distilled water without chemicals and in a solution of sodium (SSC) at different temperatures. In the preliminarily experiments, the comparison of the eluted Cl⁻ ions according to different conditions of de-salination showed that the highest number of ions were detected from the de-salination with SSC at a temperature of 100℃, and its duration was much smaller, i.e., 1∼2 weeks. Accordingly, for the parts from the guns and rifles amongst other objects, a six-time de-salination was conducted in the SSC solution for 8 hours at 100℃ and subsequently, for 16 hours at room temperature during which the distilled water and SSC were exchanged every week. However, in the case of a loaded rifle, the de-salination was not conducted, considering the risk that the high temperature and pressure by impregnation in vacuum could cause an explosion

Scientific Analysis and Conservation Treatment on the Buddhist Scriptures of Paper Relics Excavated from Sum Tolgoi, Mongolia

This study analyzed the composition and structure of materials with Buddhist paper scriptures excavated from architectural sites in ‘Sum Tolgoi’ of the 17th century and carried out conservation treatment base on the result of the analysis. The scriptures were covered in dust and foreign sub stances, and were so crumpled that it was impossib le to identify the form. The damage, loss, and discoloration have been identified. Buddhist scriptures written in Tibetan used indigo and ink sticks on paper as a result of UV-Vis analysis, and ink sticks as black character materials from scriptures written ancient Mongolian. SEM-EDS and Micro-XRF analyses revealed that the outlines were drawn with red lines using a mix of Minium (Pb3O4) and Cinnabar (HgS), or Cinnabar (HgS) alone, and the contents of the scriptures were written with silver paint. Silver chloride (AgCl) and Calcium (Ca) were identified in the silver paint component of the characters, while Calcium and Orpiment (As2S3) were identified in the yellow lines. Concerning the paper ground, Buddhist scriptures written in ancient Mongolian were characterized by herbal plant fiber and bast fiber, and those written in Tibetan, by bast fiber. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the paper for the scriptures was produced b etween the 15th and 17th centuries. Conservation treatment of the scriptures was carried out based on the experiment on the production of pre-coated paper and how to coat that to prevent the second damage due to the deformation and fragility of the excavated paper. The scriptures were preserved and mounted, and a neutral box was made to identify the contents of the scriptures recorded on both sides after the treatment. This conservation treatment is the result of a study that applied new conservation treatment materials and methods according to the principle of conservation treatment reversibility.

Structural Monitoring of a Large Archaeological Wooden Structure in Real Time, Post PEG Treatment

Large archaeological wooden structures are potentially at risk of structural failure through deformation and cracking over time if they are left untreated and their structural health is not maintained. This could be in part due to, for example, the shrinkage of waterlogged wood as it dries, or time-dependent creep processes. These dimensional changes are accompanied by associated stresses. However, there are few studies analysing the movement of large wooden structures in real time as they dry, particularly after their conservation treatment. This paper follows the structural monitoring of the Mary Rose from after the conservation treatment, where it was sprayed with polyethylene glycol, through to the ship’s air-drying process and beyond to assess the effects that drying has had on the displacement of the timbers. A laser-based target system was used to collect displacement data between 2013 and 2020 and the data showed a significant slowing of displacement as the drying reached an equilibrium.

Illuminating the Imperceptible, Researching Mina’i Ceramics with Digital Imaging Techniques

Mina’i ceramics dating to the late 12th and early 13th century made in the Kashan region of Iran represent a novel period of overglaze enamelling technology in ceramic history. New colours were used to produce stylistically attractive and dynamic polychrome motifs. Due to their archaeological context, and popularity in the art market since the mid-20th century, these objects often have complex conditions involving reconstruction and overpainting. The aesthetic and technological significance of these pieces warrants further study, but in practice, removing restorations can lead to structural destabilisation, requiring time-consuming and potentially unplanned for conservation treatment. To determine if it is possible to gain useful information from the study of these artworks without disturbing existing restorations, a group of objects were drawn from the Sarikhani and Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology collections. The objective of this project was twofold, first to assess the merits of the imaging techniques for understanding condition, and second to propose a protocol for imaging with the aim of encouraging collaborative projects with international partners. The techniques used in this study include digital photography under visible and ultraviolet light, infrared reflectography, and radiography. The results show that important information invisible to the naked eye can be obtained about the decorative surfaces, using ultraviolet light and infrared reflectography. Digital radiography proved to be equally effective when studying the condition of the ceramic body. The results of this project were used to produce guidance on these techniques as a collaborative documentation package for the study of Mina’i ceramics.

Recommendations for Departmental Collections Policies

An aged and heavily corroded horizontal iron rim lock for the left side of a door was examined at the request of Anson (“Tuck”) Hines, Director of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). The lock was reportedly found by a contractor on SERC’s property during renovation, and the iron corrosion is typical of exposure to the elements. It was anticipated that the lock would date from the time of the oldest part of the Sellman/Kirkpatrick-Howat house constructed in 1735 or its Greek Revival enlargement in 1841. Examination of the lock included x-radiography. A recommendation was made to not conduct further conservation treatment, such as removal of iron corrosion, because it would threaten the structural integrity of the object. Instead it was advised that the lock be exhibited in a case with conditioned silica gel and regularly monitored, which should keep it in stable condition.

Conservation Treatment on the Bamboo Sunblind from the No. 1 Catchment Site in Baesanseongji, Busan

In the present study, safe management and value improvement of bamboo sunblind, which is an item of cultural heritage, were performed by adopting stable conservation treatment methods. The bamboo sunblind used in the present study was excavated from No. 1 catchment site in Baesanseongji, Busan. It was determined that the main material used to make the sunblind was bamboo, and herbal plants were used to weave the bamboo using lacquer as an adhesive agent. All contaminants and soil adhered to the sunblind was removed. Thereafter, the sunblind, which was recovered in the form of blocks, was washed separately after fixing it to a temporary plaster frame and to avoid the blocks from breaking during washing. Then, polyethylene glycol (PEG) impregnation was utilized for the reinforcement treatment. Based on the preliminary test results, the shape of the sunblind was fixed using a stainless-steel frame to prevent physical damage that may occur during the drying process. Thereafter, the bamboo sunblind was vacuum freeze-dried. PEG 20% (in ethyl alcohol) was applied as a surface treatment agent for stabilization the sunblind. After the surface treatment, the bamboo sunblind were joined together to fit the maximum width, and the rectangular shape of the sunblind was restored—as best as possible—while filling in the missing parts by maximizing the use of unknown members such as in the disturbed layers below bamboo sunblind surface. The conservation treatment was completed by fixing the bamboo sunblind into the fabricated frame.

The Conservation Treatment of the Bark of Wooden Sculpture

The ‘artist’s intention’ plays an important role in the conservation process of contemporary art. Accordingly, the information on artworks owned by the artist, their bereaved family members, and foundations that have decision-making power is important. The artist’s interview is the kind of data that can clear ‘artist’s intentions’ to ensure reliable conservation treatment can be carried out even after the artist’s death. Therefore, this study attempted to use information from the artist’s interview on the type of wood in the manufacture of the filler required for lifted and separated bark conditions in the conservation process of wooden artwork in the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. While the conservation treatment resulted in the stable preservation of the bark of artwork, an analysis of the wood confirmed that the information in the artist’s interview was not true. Consequently, we suggest that attention must be paid toward the information provided by artist, their bereaved families, etc. Based on the result of this study, this is also expected to help preserve upcoming artworks with similar bark conditions.

MRI in the Setting of Neoadjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer

Neoadjuvant therapy may reduce tumor burden preoperatively, allowing breast conservation treatment for tumors previously unresectable or requiring mastectomy without reducing disease-free survival. Oncologists can also use the response of the tumor to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to identify treatment likely to be successful against any unknown potential distant metastasis. Accurate preoperative estimations of tumor size are necessary to guide appropriate treatment with minimal delays and can provide prognostic information. Clinical breast examination and mammography are inaccurate methods for measuring tumor size after NAC and can over- and underestimate residual disease. While US is commonly used to measure changes in tumor size during NAC due to its availability and low cost, MRI remains more accurate and simultaneously images the entire breast and axilla. No method is sufficiently accurate at predicting complete pathological response that would obviate the need for surgery. Diffusion-weighted MRI, MR spectroscopy, and MRI-based radiomics are emerging fields that potentially increase the predictive accuracy of tumor response to NAC.

Paints analysis and conservation treatment of painted sculpture: Jean Dubuffet, Guard Dog II

Abstract Guard Dog II (1969–1970) by Jean Dubuffet is an artwork that shows the characteristics of the artist's l'hourloupe period (1962–1974). This study revealed the materials and manufacturing techniques used by the artist at the time through material analysis of Guard Dog II, and suggested an appropriate conservation treatment method for the work through a cleaning test. Dust, stains, discoloration, cracks, etc. were observed on the surface of the artwork and stains were particularly severe and discoloration required conservation treatment. Prior to treatment, multiple analytical approaches such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometer were applied to identify the materials of the paint layers and confirm the state of the conservation of the artworks. As a result, it was confirmed that polyurethane paint was used in the artwork, and the pigment used for each color was also identified. For the stable conservation treatment of the artwork, the chromaticity, glossiness and workability of the cleaning materials were evaluated, and it was found that isopropyl alcohol and nonionic surfactant were suitable for cleaning. The conservation treatment was performed based on results from the cleaning test, and the artwork was restored cleanly. Since most of the existing research on cleaning methods has been focused on painting, this study contributes to the conservation of sculptures by suggesting cleaning methods suitable for three-dimensional colored objects. Article highlights The materials and production techniques used in Jean Dubuffet, Guard Dog II were confirmed. As cleaning materials for deteriorated artworks, isopropyl alcohol and non-ionic surfactants are effective. Hydrogels are not suitable for this work due to the type and characteristics of the gels.

Examination and Treatment Report for a Carpenter & Co. Lock Found at SERC: Museum Conservation Institute #6955

An aged and heavily corroded horizontal iron rim lock for the left side of a door was examined at the request of the director of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). The lock was reportedly found by a contractor on SERC’s property during renovation, and the iron corrosion is typical of exposure to the elements. It was anticipated that the lock would date from the time of the oldest part of the Sellman/Kirkpatrick-Howat house constructed in 1735 or its Greek Revival enlargement in 1841. Examination of the lock included x-radiography. A recommendation was made to not conduct further conservation treatment, such as removal of iron corrosion, because it would threaten the structural integrity of the object. Instead it was advised that the lock be exhibited in a case with conditioned silica gel and regularly monitored, which should keep it in stable condition.