13140
Accession Number
26088
Author
Considine, Brian B.; Jamet, Michel; Ostrup, Anna
Editor
Grimstad, Kirsten
Title Of Article Chaper
The conservation of two pieces of Boulle marquetry furniture in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum
Title Of Journal Book
ICOM Committee for Conservation, 9th triennial meeting, Dresden, German Democratic Republic, 26-31 August 1990: preprints
Pages
831-834
Collation
13 figs.
Publisher
ICOM Committee for Conservation
Publisher City
Paris
ISBN
0-89236-185-9
Language Of Text
English
Language Of Summary
English
Literature Type
Monograph : Proceedings
Literature Level
Analytic
Meeting
ICOM Committee for Conservation. Meeting
Abstract
Recent treatments on two pieces of furniture illustrate recently developed techniques for the conservation of Boulle marquetry veneer. Replacement of losses to a complex motif in <i>peinture en bois</i> on a table is described. Veneers of tortoiseshell, brass, and pewter, horn, stained bone, walnut, ebony, several boxwoods, rosewood, two types of sycamore, holly, olivewood, pearwood, and service wood were encountered. After copying the pattern on Mylar® triacetate film, the original techniques for cutting of the marquetry were used to ensure accurate, but sympathetic replacement. The finish applied to the analyzed veneer combined French polishing with a nitrocellulose lacquer to prevent tarnishing of the metal inlays. Marquetry panels, mainly of tortoiseshell, brass, and pewter, on a <i>secretaire</i> by Montigny were lifted by applying wet surgical cotton to soften the glue, facing the marquetry with Mylar film adhered with 40%-Acryloid B72 solution, and working a spatula between the marquetry and the carcass. Losses to the marquetry were filled, piece by piece, and the carcass consolidated. Before relaying, the marquetry was flattened by pressing with a cork backing so that differences in thickness could be accommodated. A mastic of sawdust, glue, and black pigment was then applied between the marquetry and the carcass.
Keywords
conservation;marquetry;furniture; J. Paul Getty Museum (Malibu, CA, USA); treatment;veneer;replacement; tortoise shell;brass;pewter;horn;bone;ebony;wood
pub_id
13140