• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.30
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• pp.1-22
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• 2023

This study aims to document the conservation treatment of the fine-hemp official headgear housed by the National Museum of Korea, and to reconsider its existing name following the restoration of the original form of the damaged cultural heritage asset. The headgear consists of a single inner frame with a vertical line at the front, a single outer frame surrounding the inner frame, and a double-layered headband that spans the circumference of the wearer's head and joins the inner and the outer frames. This study applied a conservation treatment to the men's undyed hemp headgear of the Joseon Dynasty in order to remove contaminants and foreign substances on the surface and repair the partially deteriorated and damaged fabric, thereby restoring and stabilizing the original shape and preparing it for exhibitions. The hemp headgear was sewed both by hand and with a sewing machine. Although its overall composition and style are similar to the same type of official headgear from the Joseon Dynasty, the use of a sewing machine supports the assumption that it was produced in the early 1900s. This study identified similarities between the overall composition and shape of the fully-preserved hemp official headgear and those of the jangbogwan, a type of men's official headgear worn by Confucian scholars as part of their everyday attire, and compared it with the shape of jangbogwan seen in documentary records, illustrations, prior research, and portraits from the Joseon Dynasty, as well as with the characteristics of extant jangbowan artifacts, eventually concluding that it is appropriate to classify and name the headgear as a jangbogwan.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.29
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• pp.99-110
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• 2023

The stone fragments that are missing from the stone cultural heritage have limited use beyond being directly fitted to identify their original position, as they are relatively heavy and bulky, and there is the further risk of secondary physical damage during manual work. Therefore, in this study, morphological relationships between the missing parts and the stone fragments were identified through digital restoration, and a three-dimensional (3D) printed replica was created for use at the exhibition for Stone Buddhas in Four Directions in Hwajeon-ri, Yesan, where 72 stone fragments had been excavated together. First, for the digital restoration, stone fragments of similar shapes were selected after the coordinates of the 3D scanning model were aligned in virtual space. In addition, the stone fragments were printed using a 3D printer to check whether they were physically related to the missing parts. Thus, the original positions of a total of nine stone fragments were identified. To utilize these research results in the exhibition, a 1:1 replica of the Stone Buddhas in Four Directions was produced using 3D printing technology, and the nine stone fragments were also restored to their original positions. The digital technology used in this study is of great importance in that it not only made up for the limitations of the direct manual method but also suggested the possibility of expanding its application to the fields of documentation, restoration, and replication of similar cultural heritage.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.27
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• pp.39-56
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• 2022

The purpose of this project was to improve the stability of a pair of leather socks for use on snowy days in the collection of the National Museum of Korea (Namsan1567) by conducting conservation treatment and restoring the socks to their original form for use in research and exhibition. Leather socks are referred to in ancient documents with names combining the word "mal" for socks with a term indicating their material (e.g., pimal, meaning leather socks; nokpimal, meaning deer leather socks; jangpimal, meaning roe deer leather socks, or lipimal, meaning racoon dog leather socks) and are mentioned mostly in connection with Jeju Island. Related documents include the Seungjeongwon ilgi (Daily Record of the Grand Secretariat), Injaeilnok (Diary of Injae Jo Geukseon), and Hamel's Journal and a Description of the Kingdom of Joseon. Extant examples of ancient leather socks display the same form as beoseon (traditional Korean socks) and are made of either leather or a combination of leather and fabric. It is likely that such leather socks were worn on Jeju Island to protect the feet from the cold. A condition survey of the leather socks was first conducted to establish a plan for their conservation treatment. Since the socks were in rather poor condition, it was decided to identify their original form through an investigation of relics and pertinent previous studies. The socks were cleaned in consideration of results of the condition survey, and the missing parts around the necks of the socks were reinforced in a reversible manner using counting stitches with cloth dyed to match the original color. Since the bottoms of the socks had lost much of their original form due to deterioration and disintegration in the leather, supports were made and inserted inside the socks to help retain their shape. Through these processes, the structure and characteristics of the socks and the techniques used in their production could be analyzed, their condition was stabilized, and their original form was recovered.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.541-552
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• 2017

All excavated "buried cultural properties" are supervised by the Cultural Heritage Administration that decides whether to conserve them or not, depending on the necessity for conservation. Currently, there is no legal regulation concerning the administration of relics (including artifacts) and remains (including archaeological sites) that are relocated and restored based on such conservation decisions. Thus, administration of these cultural properties is inadequate. Under these circumstances, this paper recommends the current state of conservation and conservation methods for buried cultural properties excavated at Chungcheongnam-do thus far. Conservation of buried cultural properties excavated at Chungcheongnam-do primarily employ the "relocating and restoration" method; 23 relics and 46 remains employed relocation after dismantling and soil layer transcription method. Moreover, 27 remains were relocated after dismantling and 14 remains employed the transcription method. In terms of area, Buyeo-gun and Gongju-si had 12 relics accounting for about 50%, while according to the period, Baekjae period had 16 relics, accounting for about 70%. In terms of conservation facility, open-air facility had 33 relics, accounting for about 72%. Results of investigating the state of relics' management indicated that public institutions like a museum with a recognizable management system had their own work force and consequently ensured excellent conservation, whereas if there were no apparent responsible bodies, remains were subjected to considerable damage due to mismanagement. Therefore, this problem can be resolved by identifying a recognizable management body as well as ensuring periodical management and supervision. The excavated buried cultural properties are utilized not only for academic purposes, but also for PR or as exhibition material. Hence, this study confirms that meticulous management of buried cultural properties is currently required.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.389-394
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• 2013

Taxidermied specimen is the art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals (all vertebrate species of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fishes) for display or for other sources of study. But, as these studies are weighted toward ecologic study, related studies on management and conservation environment are short. Also, the analysis of poisonous gas has not yet been studied. Therefore, this study will be suggested proper preservation methods through the analysis of deterioration on taxidermied specimen by poisonous gas. As a result, 4 types of major chemicals were detected in UV deterioration test, 7 types in RH and formaldehyde deterioration test. As a result of SPME, Naphthalene to be used as antiseptic were detected in all of the test conditions. Acetic acid that is VOCs were detected for factor. Moreover as the higher humidity it was, the concentration of chemicals were decreased.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.27
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• pp.147-164
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• 2022

Over 200,000 Korean cultural heritage items are currently located abroad. They have made their way to 22 countries under different circumstances and with unique backgrounds. While some of them continue to contribute to promoting Korean culture around the world, others cannot be exhibited due to damage or poor condition. In view of these circumstances, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (OKCHF) has since 2013 provided museums and art galleries abroad with support for the conservation, restoration, and utilization of the Korean cultural heritage items that they house. As a part of these efforts and on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Belgium in 2021, a gilt-bronze case for acupuncture needles dating to the Goryeo period (918-1392) from the collection of the Royal Museums of Art and History (RMAH), Belgium was brought to Korea for conservation treatment. The primary purpose of this conservation treatment was to restore the original form of the relic and slow to the degree possible the progress of corrosion. The conservation treatment of the gilt-bronze case followed the fundamental order of conservation treatment: removal of corrosive substances, stabilization, and reinforcement. Since this was the first case of restoring metallic cultural properties under the abovementioned support program by the OKCHF, special methodologies distinct from those available in overseas institutions were required. Diverse scientific methods (e.g., X-ray inspection, CT scanning, 3D microscopy) were applied to identify the metalcraft techniques used in the Goryeo period. The analysis found that several designs, including lotus and scrollwork, were exquisitely engraved on the surface of the case by making dots using a round-edged chisel. A bronze plate engraved with designs was rolled into a cylindrical form. The ends were overlapped by 2 to 3 centimeters and then attached to each other by silver soldering. The overlapping ends were welded flat with nearly no gaps. As the final process in the production, the case was lavishly gilt with gold powder using amalgam gilding. The conservation treatment of the gilt-bronze case for acupunctural needles in the RMAH collection restored the original form of the relic and arrested further corrosion. Above all, it revived the historic and academic value of the overseas Korean cultural heritage through scientific analysis.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.373-381
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• 2009

To preserve steel cultural properties on display outdoors, the surface of these relics is processed with a covering treatment, which is a typical anti-corrosion method. Since the registered cultural heritage of Korea No. 78 Locomotive at Jangdan Station of Gyeongui Line will be treated by preservation process and displayed in the open outdoor area, effective surface covering agents were selected through testing to prevent the corrosion of the locomotive. The mixed wax are based on two types of microcrystalline wax which is one of regular surface covering agents for locomotives and bee‘s wax. For the weather resistance test, 3 types of wax were applied to each specimen of the locomotive and the specimens were tested in the Xenon-Arc Accelerated Weathering Tester for 1000 hours in accordance with the ISO 4892-1981 criteria and the test results were compared. As a result, on the surface of the specimen coated with the bee's wax, a whitening event appears after 400 hours which causes aging, and the specimens coated by the microcrystalline wax showed signs of a whitening event after 800 hours. The moisture contact angle with the microcrystalline wax coating was also less than with the bee's wax. Therefore, it was found that the high temperature microcrystalline wax is the most effective coating agent in terms of weather resistance and moisture blocking capability and the high temperature microcrystalline wax was adopted for coating the surface of the locomotive.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.16
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• pp.138-153
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• 2015

Wooden standing Bodhisattva in the collection of the National Museum of Korea (Bon 8239) was purchased as part of the museum's Central Asian collection during the Museum of Japanese Goverment General of Korea. The wooden statue exhibiting classical characteristics of Song Dynasty Buddhist sculptures is colored on the whone. The result of condition check for exhibition in 2014, it has severely damaged, with discoloring and exfoliation in color pigment and crack of wood observed in various areas. The object was therefore treated for conservation. A series of analysis were performed also at this time to determine the production technique and the materials, including testing of the X-ray penetration depth, X-ray fluorescence analysis and wood species analysis. This revealed that the statue was made by joining several separate pieces of wood. As for color pigments, the white pigment was either chalk (CaCO₃) or gypsum(CaSO₄·2H₂O), and the green pigment was emerald green (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂·3Cu(AsO₂)₂). The red pigment appeared to be lead red(Pb₃O₄) and the blue pigment was ultramarine blue (3Na₂O·3Al₂O₃·6SiO₂·2Na₂S). All the pigments were repainted in later eras. The analysis, indicated that the wood was derived from a tree of the genus Populus, family Salicaceae. The wooden standing Bodhisattva was repaired and reinforced with natural materials and was brought to a stable condition necessary for display.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.383-392
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• 2020

This study aimed to examine the characteristics of paint used for modern art works by conducting sectional observations, inorganic component analysis, and infrared spectroscopic analysis on the painted layers of 3 painted sculpture works exhibited in the Yongdam Dam Environmental Sculpture Park and Naejangsan Sculpture Park in the Jeollabuk-do area. The observations indicate that the cross section is composed of various layers of 2-3 folds, the thickness of the layers was uneven at approximately 23-150 ㎛, and putty was used for plate treatment prior to painting. Inorganic component analysis results show that putty containing calcium carbonate, iron oxide, diatomite, and titanium dioxide was used for the putty layer. It is also assumed that paint mixed with green (Cr₂O₃), blue(sodaliteblue), red(chromered), andwhite(TiO₂) colors were used for the painted layers. As a result of infrared spectroscopic analysis to confirm the types of paint, it is estimated that the paint was mixed with polyester resin and an extender.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.440-450
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• 2021

Temperature and humidity data collection using real-time sensors and data loggers was conducted for integrated pest management in the collection storage and exhibition space of the Jeongnimsaji Museum, Buyeo. The real-time temperature and humidity monitoring system collected measurement data every 30 minutes and enabled real-time confirmation of the data through a linked application. If the temperature and humidity data measured in the real-time temperature and humidity monitoring system exceeds the set range, a push notification was sent to the mobile phone of the person in charge to provide status information to establish a continuous management system. Through this, it was possible to immediately recognize and take action when the temperature range exceeded the recommended relic temperature in August. We performed data visualization on the concentration of airborne fungus in the storage area and the inflow path and density of insects. Based on the recommended criteria presented by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage, The data on the spatial and temporal concentration of airborne fungus inside the collection storage were found to be maintained at a value below the standard recommended by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage (80 CFU/m³). Also, as a result of the insect inflow survey, no insects were captured inside the storage area, and in the case of the exhibition space, insects such as Scutigera coleoptrata, Loxoblemmus arietulus, Diestrammena asynamora, Koreoniscus racovitzai were captured. Based on this, as a result of visualization according to the individual density of captured insects by area, it was confirmed that the main inflow paths of insects were the external entrance and the toilet area.