THE CONSERVATION AND TECHNIQUE OF THE HERLIN ALTARPIECE (1466)

Abstract

The restoration of the Hedin altar in Rothenburg o.d.T., dated 1466, is described. The polychromed sculptures were cleaned and loose paint was fixed. Methods and materials used in the restoration of the paintings, the areas polychromed in various techniques and the brocade reliefs are mentioned. The altar was protected from direct sunlight. The construction of the shrine and the technique of carving are extensively discussed. Sculptures made from one piece of lime wood were hollowed out and closed with a plank. Traces of rough finishing are visible. Shrine and predella were polychromed after a preliminary assembly of the sculptures. The various techniques used in the undisfigured polychromy are described as they are observed with the unaided eye. It can be shown that the working methods were rational. The fabrication of relief brocades and the various patterns used are discussed in detail. The treatment of the various paintings on the wings, the predella and the reverse of the shrine is reported. The question is raised to what extent the painter Herlin can also have been responsible for the polychromy.     

NOTE ON THE TECHNIQUE AND CONSERVATION OF SOME THANG-KA PAINTINGS

Abstract

The article is a concise report on the art historical as well as technical aspects of thang-ka paintings. It also describes briefly the traditional methods and materials employed in the execution of these paintings. The artists’ materials described in the literature are compared with actual findings as a result of analysis of pigments, binding media and other materials involved in the execution of the thang-ka paintings. An outline of the causes of deterioration of thang-kas is also mentioned. Finally, an extensive account is given of the method of treatment carried out in the author's laboratory.     

THE DISCOVERY AND CONSERVATION OF AN ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LINEN TUNIC

Abstract

The archaeological evidence for dating a linen tunic found amongst other pieces from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL, is weighed against the evidence from Carbon-14 dating. An account of the structure, conservation and mounting of the tunic is then given.     

大世界与我的“青葱”岁月

那天,我驱车路过西藏南路、延安东路交叉口,不禁特意放慢车速,遥望了寂寞"站立"在路口多年的上海市青年宫旧址,这里曾是沪上著名地标、闻名遐迩的上海最大室内游乐场——大世界.和周围一片繁华的热闹景象相比,这座外观仿西方古典式的建筑像是个被路人遗忘的"弃物".回想起上世纪80年代,大世界的昔日辉煌,内心不禁五味杂陈. 回家后,不由翻箱倒柜找出了一张珍藏着的"上海市青年宫出入证".     

中国首任驻英公使郭嵩焘的世博会情结

郭嵩焘（1818-1891）,湖南湘阴人,字伯琛,号筠仙,或署云仙、筠轩、仁先,晚号玉池老人,因其筑室日“养知书屋”,学者又称之为“养知先生”。曾先后担任过苏松粮道、两淮盐运使、署理广东巡抚、福建按察使等职,他是清政府派往西方的第一任公使,是中国近代史上著名的政治家,外交家和思想家。     

THE CONSERVATION OF NON-METALLIC SEALS

Abstract

The conservation of non-metallic seals is an aspect of archival conservation which is all too often neglected.The authors show the most usual causes and forms of damage together with various methods of treatment. Among the aspects discussed are composition and manufacture; cleaning and repair of single and double-faced seals made of beeswax, shellac and other thermoplastic compounds; the conservation and repair of papered seals, together with seals and wafers applied en placard to documents; and methods of packing and storage used in the University of Glasgow Archives.     

NOTES ON THE CONSERVATION OF SCULPTURE,STONE, MARBLE AND TERRACOTTA

Abstract

Sulphuration is the main destroyer of marble, producing imaginary (not true) patina. Other reasons for the discoloration of marbles are discussed. Magnesium silicate saturated with de-ionized water is a safe and simple cleaner. Sintolite is advocated as an adhesive for marble rather than the general more fluid epoxy resins. Solid polyvinyl acetate is strongly advocated as the basis for sma1l repairs to internaIly housed marble. The consolidation of marble is discussed and a method for internal exhibits recommended. Conservation of unbaked clay is touched upon, and a method for the repair of terracotta suggested together with a process for the reproduction of a glazed frieze using a latex mould and epoxy-reinforced plaster casts. A few remarks are made concerning the dangers of cleaning alabaster with water. The commentary is of a general nature and is not intended as a strict blueprint for any particular object.     

THE CONSERVATION AND TECHNIQUE OF SILVER BANGLES DISCOVERED AT ROJDI,INDIA

Abstract

The treatment of two silver bangles found at Rojdi and dated c. 2000 b.c. is described. The bangles were separated by removing the hard incrustations with a 20% sodium hexametaphosphate solution and 15% acetic acid. Silver chloride was removed with a 25% solution of 0.88 ammonia and a 20% aqueous solution of ammonium thiosulphate.

Silver sulphide was removed in a 20% formic acid bath. Polyvinyl acetate was used for consolidation, and a coating of polymethyl methacrylate was applied. The silver was found to contain copper and lead. The causes of embrittlement and the manufacturing technique are discussed.     

CORROSION AND CONSERVATION OF A SILVER VISCERAL VESSEL FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY

Abstract

Two different cleaning methods were found necessary to remove silver chloride corrosion products from different areas of a silver canopic vessel containing about 6% of copper. Two possible mechanisms of silver corrosion which could have led to the differing silver chloride corrosion products are put forward.     

ACTUAL AND PERCEIVED U.S. PUBLIC OPINION: THE SPIRAL OF SILENCE DURING THE PERSIAN GULF WAR

This study analyzes actual and perceived support for the PersianGulf War in the United States. Data were collected from 292residents of New Castle County, Delaware, during the 1991 GulfWar. Results show that support for the war was not the strongconsensus reported in mainstream media. In fact, 53.1 percentof the respondents fell within the neutral, disagree, or stronglydisagree ranges of a support for the war scale. Only 6.6 percentof the respondents were in the strong support range. However,responses were significantly higher on an item measuring perceivedsupport for the war. Consistent with Noelle-Neumann's spiralof silence theory, perceived public support for the war wasa significant predictor of support for the war even after 13variables were controlled. The alternative explanation thatsubjects were ‘projecting’ their own perceptionsonto the public, is discounted by the finding that liberals,moderates and conservatives did not differ in their perceptionsof public support.     

南浔张家多“奇人”——张弁群、张乃燕父子世界游

南浔尊德堂的张静江被孙中山先生称为“民国奇人”,其实南浔张家的“奇人”还不止张静江一个,他们家好几代人都不同凡响,都有超乎常人、出人意料之处。