• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.21
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• pp.41-52
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• 2019

The findings of a 2017 safety inspection of the Three-story Pagoda from the Goseonsa Temple site in Gyeongju suggested the possibility that the stone for the second story of the pagoda may have been rotated after the pagoda was disassembled for removal from its original site in 1975. The materials from the pagoda were investigated using photographs and other relevant data from both the Japanese colonial period and from around 1975. The analysis found that the materials of the pagoda were not changed after analleged reconstruction in 1943, but that during the process of relocating the pagoda in 1975 the body of the second story was indeed rotated counter clockwise by 90 degrees and one of the four stone elements making up the first-story roof was exchanged with a part from the second-story roof. In order to discover whether the materials had been incorrectly placed, each part of the pagoda was precisely measured and the elements of the roofs were virtually reconstructed using 3D scanning data. The investigation did not find any singularities with in the components of each roof; the four part sof the first-story roof were 75 to 76 centimeters thick and those for the second-story roof were 78 to 79 centimeters thick. The connections between each part of the roofs also appeared natural. This seems to indicate that there was indeed an undocumented repair of the pagoda at some point between its creation and 1943 and an error that took place during this repair was corrected in 1975. In addition, the study suggested a possibility that the body of the second story was rotated counter clockwised to a change in the locations of parts of the two roofs.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.21
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• pp.53-66
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• 2019

This study describes the processes undertaken for the conservation treatment of metal artifacts excavated in Hasong-ri, Yeongwol, Gangwon-do and the results of the related surface composition analysis. X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) was applied to analyze the surface composition of a small gilt-bronze wind chime, two clappers, and a small gourd-shaped bronze bottle. The gourd-shaped bronze bottle was investigated using radiography to examine its internal structure. The wind chime and clappers were excavated from the same location. A gilt layer was identified on the wind chime, but surface corrosion made it difficult to identify any such layers on the clappers. The element analysis revealed that the wind chime was made of bronze in a Cu-Sn-Pb ternary system and was gilt-plated using mercury amalgam. The clappers were made from copper with a small amount of gold detected, but did not show any evidence of mercury. Since a thick corrosion layer was affixed to the surface of each clapper, it was impossible to identify the surface composition and determine if the clappers had been gilded. It is possible that the gold detected from the clappers was a foreign substance or had detached from the giltbronze wind chime buried alongside them. The small gourd-shaped bronze bottle was investigated through surface element analysis and radiography to verify if it was a type of silver bottle used as currency during the Goryeo dynasty. The radiography photography identified that a small hole in the middle of the base had been stopped up. The general surface analysis did not detect silver, which suggests that the bottle was made of bronze instead and was not one of the silver bottles used as a means of currency.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.13
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• pp.37-44
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• 2012

White crystals on 46 costumes excavated from Shim Su-Ryun(1534 - 1589)'s tomb were examined their characterization and distribution. In 36 of such samples, white crystals with different shape and hardness were found. The formation of crystals did not correlated with a kind and use of textiles. However, crystals were found in the back side than the front of costume, specially around the marks of shrouding dead body. White crystals from 7 textiles were investigated by EPMA, XRD, or FT-IR. The composition of white crystal was analysed by EPMA and the structure characterization of crystals was used by X-ray diffraction. FT-IR spectroscopy was applied to check if non-crystalline compounds were also present. Mg and P were detected as the main element of white crystals and these compounds were identified a struvite and newberyite, the inorganic mineral magnesium ammonium phosphates. Struvite precipitation are influenced by many factors including concentration of Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺, and PO₄^3- ions, pH, and temperatures. It is assumed that magnesium, phosphorous, ammonia, a base material of struvite comes from decomposition product of human body. Tomb covered with lime, a unique triple-structure in Joseon period offering the basic condition, an anaerobe in a coffin, and high magnesium concentration of outer coffin with lime can be inferred as important factor for precipitation of crystals.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.17
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• pp.1-16
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• 2016

The gold buckle excavated from Seogam-ri Tomb No. 9(National Treasure No. 189), one of the oldest gold artifacts discovered within the Korean Peninsula, was created using granulation techniques. The buckle is made with 22.8K gold sheets and features a decorative design with seven dragons in repousse metalwork. The outlines of the dragons and the edge of the buckle are finished with 23.8K gold wires and granules. Some curved sections of the buckle are also covered with an extra sheet of 23.8K gold, possibly added to repair defects discovered during production or thereafter. Gold wire used to render the dragon's nostrils is slightly lower in purity(23.3K) and was probably preferred in this case due to its increased hardness. As a result, the metal is better able to retain the complex shape of the dragons' nostrils, created by rolling gold wire into spirals. The buckle's gold granules are found in small, medium and large sizes and are presumed to have been bonded using copper. The foreheads and the bodies of the seven dragons are inset with turquoise and the eyes are decorated with red cinnabar/vermillion(HgS).

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.17
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• pp.101-116
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• 2016

Ceramic cultural artifacts restored with gypsum-based materials are prone to decay over time due to gypsum's natural absorption and release of atmospheric moisture, often leading to distortion and peeling of painted layers. This study proposes a new restoration material which utilizes extra hard stone, significantly superior in strength to regular gypsum. In order to enhance its physical properties and make it suitable for restoration of ceramics, extra hard stone is mixed with metakaolin. This mixture far surpasses regular gypsum in compressive strength(119MPa vs. 26MPa) while also maintaining a much lower wear rate(0.88% vs. 2.53%). Furthermore, the water absorption rate(2.9%) of the mixed material is over five times lower than that of regular gypsum(17.2%). When examined using a SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope), this mixture also proved superior to extra hard stone in terms of hardened density. The addition of metakaolin increases the mixture's strength and water resistance over that of extra hard stone and also improves its surface density, making it ideal for the restoration of ceramics. It has already been used to repair ceramic objects in the Museum's collection: Clay basin(sinan 18892), Buncheong ware bottle with incised peony design(jubsu 2034), Buncheong ware bowl with chrysanthemum(jubsu 1730). Results thus far have shown the mixture to be easy to inject and layer as well as harden into an even surface, which allows for smooth application of paint for color matching.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.8
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• pp.49-69
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• 2007

This is about the scientific analysis of the 10 items of the gilt-bronze Panbul excavated from Anapji, Gyeongju. First, the composition of the Panbul was confirmed, using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), and the patinas covering the surface of the Panbul were analyzed, using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). And the micro structures and gilt layer of the Panbul were investigated, using microscope and scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS), and in order to investigate the internal conditions of the Panbul, X-radiography was conducted. As the result, it is found out that the material of the Panbul excavated from Anapji was the bronze of copper (86~95%) and tin (4~12%), and coated with gold. And cuprite (Cu₂O) was detected from red patina of the gilt-bronze Panbul, and chalcocite(Cu₂S) also was detected from the black patina. As the result of the observation of the micro structure through microscope, it is estimated that it was manufactured, using the wax molding method, and, judging from the fact that the thickness of gilt layer was not even, and that the groove had been filled, it was presumed that the amalgam coating method had been used, but some questions still remain, because mercury was not detected. Lastly, through the X-radiography, it was observed that the tiny round spots existed, which was presumed to have been generated during the casting.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.8
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• pp.13-24
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• 2007

The Department of Fine Art requested the conservation science team to examine the technique of painting with gold powder on the gold painted porcelains, which were made in Korea and China, among the items possessed by National Museum of Korea in order to publish it in the research paper collection of the Exchange Exhibition of Korea and China Porcelains. Among the items possessed by National Museum of Korea, such items were included as, an item of Koryo inlaid celadon (No. Gaesung 106), called the celadon with inlaid work (Korean name: Cheongjasanggam suhawonmun geumchaepyunho), which was decorated in the layer of glaze using gold power, an items of tea cup called "Temmku da wan" (No. Bongwan 10011), which was manufactured in the time of Song dynasty of Chinese history, an items of gold cup called "Siyuchohwamun hwageumwan" (No. Bongwan 2027), and an items of a porcelain called "Siyuwan" (No. Duksoo 3322). As the result of the examination, the stabilizing method of baking the decorated porcelains is similar, after they are painted with the pigment mixed with fine gold powder and the glaze solvent, but the treatment method of the colors is a little different among them. In other words, there is a big difference between them, for example, in the case of Koryo celadon, because the gold coloring was painted carefully one by one on the splendid decorations of inlaid works, while in the case of Chinese porcelains, butterflies or arabesque designs are decorated on the layer of the glaze in the porcelains of no decoration, using the stencil skill. According to the result of this examination, the part of the porcelain, whose layer of gold color was peeled off, could be restored, and as the result of the restoration, it was confirmed how beautiful and splendid the gold porcelain had been at the time of being manufactured.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.2
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• pp.57-68
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• 2000

This study is a scientific analysis of 12 bronze materials which were excavated from Sanoisa temple in Chongju. Analysis of crystalline shape, size and distribution of the each sample metal suggested that they can be classified as tableware(wrought), vessels for memorial service(casting) and bell bronze, which is the same result as classification based on elemental composition. Most of the tableware are forging wares with composition of 8:2:0 in Cu:Sn:Pb, and vessels for memorial service are casting wares whose composition is 7:1:2 in Cu:Sn:Pb, and bell bronze's composition is Cu:Sn:Pb = 85:10:5/9:1:0. The result clearly shows that composition is closely related with usage and manufacturing method of wares. Trace elements such as Co, Fe and As are the elements with high correlation coefficient with Cu, which means they exist as impurities in Cu, and the content of As showed an increase in the order of tableware, memorial service vessels and bell bronze. In addition, the analysis of lead isotope ratio showed that 3 bronze materials with high lead content were made from the lead coming from Japan and China. The composition of the solder was Cu:Sn:Pb = 83:12:5 where small Pb crystals were distributed evenly.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2000

In order to studies proper conservation treatment condition of waterlogged archaeological wood excavated from wetland in Shinchang-dong, Kwangju, 2 kinds of wooden objects were treated with PEG(Poly-Ethylene Glycol), sucrose and lactitol and their size stability and relative humidity were analyzed and compared each other. The result showed that Quercus spp. had the highest size stability in 2 Step-PEG treatment using PEG#200(MW:200) and PEG#4000 (MW:3,350) and Acer spp. was the highest in treatment using only PEG#4000. In relative humidity test after treatment 2 Step-PEG treatment showed the lowest size stability. In the meantime, sucrose and lactitol-treated sample was fast for penetration, sucrose-treated sample showed a sharp increase for penetration in as high as 84% humidity condition and medicine flew out a lot and lactitol-treated sample got enlarged with fine cracking(splitting) in relative humidity test. In relative humidity test, the samples showed cracking(splitting) in all treatment materials except for 2 Step-PEG treatment. This study showed that waterlogged archaeological wood excavated from Shinchang-dong had the highest size stability and highest adaptation to humidity change in case of treatment with 2 Step-PEG.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.20
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• pp.13-30
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• 2018

Ancient metal objects with inlaid designs were mainly decorated using the wire inlay technique in which "V"- or "U"-shaped grooves were cut in a metal object and then filled with gold or silver. Previous studies on ancient metal objects featuring wire inlay generally attempted to ascertain the inlay techniques applied by examining photomicroscopes acquired during conservation treatment. However, they had limitations when examining wire inlay technique to the minute details. Wire inlay technique can be better investigated by enlarging X-ray films of relics using stereoscopic microscopy under transmitted light. The core processes of the wire inlay technique involve cutting grooves using a chisel and creating the inlay wires, but researchers hold varying opinions about the two processes. This study analyzed the entirety of the materials able to shed light on the main processes applied in Baekje wire inlay by examining X-ray films of relics through stereoscopic microscopy. This exhaustive research revealed that two types of techniques were used for wire inlay during the Baekje period. One is a plastic process of engraving dotted lines using a chisel and is found mostly in objects from the Cheonan and Gongju areas. The other is a cutting process that incises fine lines and was used mostly in relics from the Osan, Seosan, and Wanju areas. It is likely that the Baekje wire inlay techniques feature regional differences because the respective techniques were used or introduced by different groups of people.