Origin: Abasseya 1 Sector A
Date: November 2000 – First season
Name of the object: Ab1A.00.18 (1)
Material: Pottery
Dimensions: Maximum height conserved 41mm. Diameter of the base 50mm, maximum diameter conserved 103mm.
Description
Fragment of pottery, probably a bowl.
Characteristics
Non-heated ceramic clay, very porous, light brown color and with visible particles of degreaser. Irregular flat base with a slight protuberance. Open hemispheric wall. Polychrome remains at the outer part with yellow, red, white and traces of blue.
Images (see below: Photographic documentation)
Images 1 and 2 from the outer part and the inner part during the consolidation process.
Images 3 and 4 from the outer part and the inner part after the restoration.
Images 5, 6 and 7 pottery with a support for the conservation and exhibition.
Conservation
Fair. As it is not heated, the initial terracotta was very weak so it was consolidated at the moment of extraction. In that moment, it was covered with gauze to avoid its disintegration.
The polychrome was separated from the ceramic and adhered to the surrounding ground, therefore it was impossible to recuperate.
Objectives
Consolidation of the object and recuperation of its morphologic and decorative characteristics.
Minimum restoration needed to accomplish its stability and to be able to establish concordances with the site where it was found.
Treatment
Taking off the gauze coating applying acetone-moistened cotton compresses. Superficial cleaning with a mix solution of demineralized water and alcohol (1-3). Mechanical cleaning using brush and scalpel to extract accumulated earth concretions.
Consolidation
As the first treatment in situ was done based on 3% Paraloid B-72 in xylene, it has been reinforced with the same acrylic solution.
Restoration
Reintegration of part of the base with plaster dyed with natural sienna earth pigment (Conscolor) using as a cast wax sheet “Reus” (of dental usage). Consolidation of the plaster on base of acrylic resin 2% Paraloid B-72 in acetone applied with a brush. Chromatic reintegration adjusting the color of the reintegrate part sprinkling natural pigments with acrylic resin 3% Paraloid B-72 solution in acetone.
Presentation
A stand was created and colored with a similar color. It prolongs the piece in 20 mm height and the ceramic leans on it to enable the understanding of the object’s morphology, without compromising it to the suggested form. This stand is independent from the ceramic and has a couple of silicone cushions that protect the original form direct contact with the base.
Recommendations for continued care and maintenance
Stable temperature between 24ºC and 30ºC
Do not expose directly to sunlight
Controlled dust-free atmosphere
Restored by Margarita Alcobé
Curator – restorer
margalcobe@gmail.com
Barcelona
February 2012
