• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 2010

Four gilded bronze objects and a gilded silver object were examined for elemental diffusion between the gilding layer and the mating matrix. The gilded bronzes consist of three objects from three different historical periods, the Korean Three Kingdoms period, the Koryo and the Choseon periods and one from an unknown period. The gilded silver was from the Koryo period. The amalgam process seems to have been the major technique employed for all of them in gilding. The occurrence of substantial diffusion was observed in all but the anonymous object, particularly in the Choseon artifact where evidence was found that the diffusion phenomenon was intentionally utilized in gilding. The gold content in the gilded bronzes decreases gradually from surface to interior while the copper content increases to the interior, making it difficult to locate the boundary between the gilding layer and the matrix. This gradual change in composition must have resulted from elemental diffusion at elevated temperatures. The oxygen content negligible in the gilding layer precludes the possibility of corrosion being responsible for the varying composition. It is observed that non-uniform diffusion caused variation of colors in the surface of gilded bronzes. The change of colors induced by diffusion, which is always accompanied by the unique surface morphology and chemical compositions, is distinguished from the color change by corrosion. In the gilded silver object, diffusion of mercury was observed along with that of gold and silver.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.12
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• pp.42-62
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• 1991

A.D. 5세기 전반기경으로 추정되는 황남대총 고분에서 발굴출토된 유물 중 도금 기법이 적용된 대표적인 형태 및 용도의 유물 시료 13점을 선정 SEM-EDS 및 금속현미경에 의해 분석한 결과,시료의 도금피복 기술은 수은(Hg)에 의한 아말감(amalgam) 도금법에 의한 것으로 판명되었으며, 도금피막의 두께는 $5.99∼12.97\mum$ (단, 소지가 은인 시료 No.C는 $19.96\mum$)로 균일하고 치밀하게 도포되었다. 소지금속은 금속현미경 조직검사 결과 대부분 단조로 제조된 4.7∼11.5%의 연(Pb)을 함유하고 약 1.7% 내외의 아연(Zn)을 함유한 동합금이었다. 또한 내재된 불순물이나 기공이 매우 적은 것으로 보아 당시의 소지금속인 동합금 주조기술이 상당한 수준임을 알 수 있었다.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2011

If the nondestructive analysis is carried out by using an X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer(XRF) for ingredient analysis with the target of gold plated silverware that plates gold on a silver basis, a singular point showing big difference at the value of weight percent(wt.%) according to the electron orbit of the principal ingredient can be confirmed. The present research made reproduced samples and carried out comparative analysis in order to suggest a basis that can judge whether the technique of gold plated silverware was used in case of remains uneasy to understand with eyes by using this singular point. As a result, the same result as analysis results of actual remains could be seen in specimens manufactured by a mercury amalgam plating method. However, in case of gold and silver alloy specimens, it could be confirmed that the difference according to the electron orbit of the principal ingredients is slight unlike plated specimens. The reason appearing at plated specimens seems to be generated while absorbing XRF beam at plated layers by double structure due to plating instead of single material. Accordingly, if this result appearing at nondestructive analysis is used, it was confirmed that the application of the technique of gold plated silverware can be judged without observing its section.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2012

This study discusses a mercury amalgam gilding technique and examines how the color, surface and section of the gilt layer changes as the condition of heat treatment with mercury amalgam gilt object is changed. Some previous studies have mentioned reasons for various colors on gilt bronze artifacts depending on gilding manufacture and environment. However, reason for reddish color with gold on the artifacts' surface brought on high temperature corrosion has yet to be discussed and analyzed. A methodology was found in representing the mercury amalgam gilding technique and heat treatment test. According to the result of the heat treatment test, in the conditions of higher temperature and longer time, the oxidized layer on the gilt layer was distributed more widely and in the part when the oxide layer was eliminated, the gilt layer with a reddish color was observed. Moreover, in the surface observation of the specimen on which yellow and reddish colors were agitated, the changing aspects of its surface condition differed by colors. When investigated the section, it was observed that the void density and size became larger. After a test, the surface components changed; the temperature of heat treatment increased, component ratio of Hg and Au decreased gradually but component ratio of Cu increased. In regard to the gilt layer, as the time was longer and the temperature became higher for the heat treatment, the component ratio of Au and Cu by layers tended to change in inverse proportion. It is concluded that gilding techniques and the burial environment can make a difference in the surface color of the gilt layer on the gilt bronze artifacts, the high temperature corrosion that occurs by heat after they are manufactured is also one of the factors that affects their surface color.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.16 s.16
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• pp.52-63
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• 2004

This study tries to investigate the differences in combination of gold and other metals used in the surface guilt of the gold-guilt relics found in the Seonwonsa Temple of the Korea Dynasty. Our findings are as follows. The gilded roller knobs found in the Seonwonsa Temple of the Korea Dynasty can be classified into three groups by the color of the surface guilt: gold, white-gold, red-gold. By the color it is found that gold type contains $Au\;81.0\%,\;Ag\;3.5\%,\;Cu\;5.6\%$, white-gold type contains $Au\;82.1\%,\;Ag\;10.6\%,\;Cu\;2.4\%$, and the red-gold type contains $Au\;59.9\%,\;Ag\;3.7\%,\;Cu\;33.2\%$. The gold metal used for guilt is found to be amalgam of Hg and the depth of the guilt was uneven with the average of $2.5\~25{\mu}m$. These gilded roller knobs were produced in two methods. One of them was made out of pure bronze, and the other out of bronze veneer and led. Since we found led on the outer surface, we conclude that the led juncture was later guilt with gold.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

For the silver artifacts in the Koryo Dynasty excavated from Neungnae-ri Ganghwa island, the metallographic section analysis and hardness and chemical analysis were conducted. After making samples in the similar ratio of the composition concentration, the changes of the microstructure were checked according to the working method and temperature. The results show that those silver artifacts are Au-Cu alloys with 2 to 6 % of Cu. From the results it is judged that Cu was artificially alloyed with them to keep the proper hardness and identified that they were gilded by the amalgamation process seeing that mercury was included at the guilt layer. Also the porous texture on the surface of them could be formed at over $400^{\circ}C$, therefore, it is assumed the hot working or heat treatment at over $400^{\circ}C$ were performed. In silver artifacts made by the relief and repousse, they have the similar composition analysis to other 7 artifacts but the hardness is lower than pure silver. Consequently from differences in the hardness, it can be inferred that the low hardness of silver artifacts is concerned with manufacturing techniques.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 2021

Gwanghwadang-Wonsam was designated as National Folklore Cultural Heritage No. 52 in 1979, it is in good condition. However, a problem is the attached a phoenix insignia badge that did not exist when it was designated recently. As it became known as the only purple Wonsam artifact with "phoenix insignia", raising the need for its conservation. In this regard, scientific analysis was required to correct misinformation about designated cultural assets and restore the original designated state by analyzing the history of the Gwanghwadang-Wonsam, other relics of the phoenix insignia and its making design patterns. An X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to confirm that the Phoenix insignia's metal threads were titanium-plated silver. Phoenix insignia using titanium-plated gold thread was not identified in Gwanghwadang-Wonsam photographs in 1986, and the TiN-type membrane plating method was used in various industries in the 1990s, which can be estimated to be attached in the early and mid-1990s. Especially, the scientific analysis results from the X-ray fluorescence analysis in this study provide key evidence for conservation processing. This study demonstrates the importance of investigating relics and similar artifacts in the conservation process of inherited relics and as a precedent for restoration that corrects misinformation about designated cultural properties.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.4-17
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• 2021

This study analyzed 19 samples of harness fittings and pendants, which were excavated in Tomb No. 15 in Songhyeon-dong, Changnyeong. Harness fittings and pendants are used for ostentation, rather than practicality, and were excavated from ancient tombs in Gaya culture. So, they are considered artifacts that compare the production techniques and raw materials. This study aimed to examine the production techniques and provenience studies of Bihwa Gaya, which is estimated to be from the 5th to 6th centuries. According to the research, harness fittings were made of pure copper and were gilded with Au·Ag alloys on their surfaces. Hg was detected together and plated with a mercury amalgam method. As a result of the pendant (fish scales-pattern, oval and fish-tail shape), analysis showed that Fe in the background metal, Cu in the middle layer, and Au and Ag on the surface were the main components. The method of adhesion between Cu and Au·Ag gilded layers are plated by a mercury amalgamation method. So, it was identified by the gilt-iron·gold·bronze technique. Since the pendant (heart shaped) is found to be the main component of Fe in the background metal and Ag in the surface layer, the metal was made gilt-iron·silver technique. The background metal and gilding were additionally fixed using a rivet. The raw materials of 3 harnesses excavated from Changnyeong are plotted in zone 2 in the southern Korean Peninsula. And 16 harnesses were plotted in Chinese copper ore by Mabuchi Hishao in the Chinese Peninsula.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.179-189
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• 2021

In this study, the research objects are gilt plated silver-iron nails excavated from the west of the tombs in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo. A gilt plated silver-iron nail was fabricated by combining silver and iron via heating and then gilding amalgam on top of this combination, demonstrating that this ancient artifact that can be replicated using current technology. Since the metal (Au, Ag) surface of these gilt plated artifacts are covered with iron oxide, which slips into the cracks and scratches of the artifacts as well, desalination is essential. Based on the results of the preliminary experiment, the research objects were classified into grades A, B, and C, according to the degree of corrosion and then desalinated using an alkali solution (NaOH, Sodium Sesquicarbonate of 0.1 M) at 60℃. The results demonstrate that the more serious is the degree of corrosion, the more is the amount of Cl^- detected. Further, more Cl^- was released when NaOH was used than when sodium sesquicarbonate was used, for all grades except Grade A. Furthermore, the more serious is the degree of corrosion, the longer is the desalination period and the reaction with NaOH for all grades except Grade A. A comparison of the Fe composition of the surface before and after desalination shows that Fe composition is the use of NaOH resulted in a smaller increase compared with the use of sodium sesquicarbonate, for all grades except Grade B. However, four of the nails were damaged owing to NaOH (Grade B 3ea, Grade C 1ea) during desalination. Thus, Cl^- ions are more stably released when sodium sesquicarbonate is used than when NaOH is used.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.62-77
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• 2011

Yi Sunsin's artifacts had been exhibited at Hyeonchungsa in Asan-si, Chungchungnam-do. These artifacts include Janggeom(Long swords), Okno(Jade ornament of Korea traditional hat), Yodae(Waist belt) and Dobae(Peach shaped wine cups) Gudae(Yodae's saucers). These were covered with dust and corroded due to long term display. Condition of these artifacts was examined for a re-opening of Yi Chungmugong Memorial Pavilion on 28 March 2011. Before conservation treatment of the artifacts, scientific analysis was conducted to identify the material of the artifacts. The result showed that the red paint on the hilt of the sword is composed of two layers. Pigments of two layers were found to be hematite and cinnabar mixed with red lead respectively. Mixed layer was assumed to have been applied recently. Also it was found that the blade of the sword was repainted using chrome yellow($PbCrO_4$). Considering the time limit, conservation treatment focused on stabilization of damaged area and prevention of futher risk during display.