38931
Accession Number
38496
Title Of Article Chaper
An exploratory study on the traditional craftsmanship of polychrome Terracotta Warriors and their flaking process
Title Of Journal Book
Sciences of Conservation and Archaeology
Volume
26
Issue
4
Pages
14-24
Collation
11 p. : ills.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliographic references
Language Of Text
Chinese
Language Of Summary
Chinese;English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
The traditional crafts used for the polychrome terracotta warriors of the Qin Dynasty were investigated based on information currently available on these objects. Traditional craftsmanship information includes the use of pig blood in the lacquer layer, the lacquer formula, the pigment layer formula, the manufacture of lacquer and pigment and the selection of pottery. Based on this information, a simulated model is made to have a lacquer layer (35-68[mu]m thick), and pigment layers (red pigment, 20~50[mu]m; white pigment, 55~70[mu]m; green pigment, 50~70[mu]m; and blue pigment, 55~65[mu]m). All these layers are about the same thickness as on the real terracotta warriors. The best pig blood concentration is in the lacquer is 4%. Some glues are also used to apply the pigment layers: gelatin in water (1:32) and egg white in water (1:2). The process of flaking of the pigment layers and the lacquer layer are simulated in the lab. The prepared samples provide a basic object to simulate the process of damage, and can be used for further study of the decay mechanism and for conservation studies.
Keywords
terracotta;painting;color;paint;lacquer;pigment;layer;formula;flaking;craftsmanship
pub_id
38931