• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.77-89
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• 2021

In this study, materials and color formation techniques were assessed for black potteries excavated from the Janghyeon-dong, Jungsan-dong and Gyodong-ri sites during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period in Ulsan, Korea. Although the black potteries were black superficially, the inner cores were either black or reddish yellow. Microscopy analysis identified that body clay was used for reddish iron oxide rich soils with quartz, alkali feldspar and mica, along with grains of myrmechite texture. Additionally, as marginal differences exist in the contents of SiO₂, Fe₂O₃ and CaO, the composition of the host rock and clay distributed around the sites was affected. Thus, we can deduce that pottery was made by soiling at a short distance. Raman spectroscopy results revealed that the black layer of the black pottery was used as amorphous combustion carbon. In addition, as a transparent layer of brown lacquer was observed on the substrate that was in contact with the surface layer, the black layer of the pottery induced black color development by a combination of combustion carbon and lacquer. Based on the mineral composition and microtexture of the body clay, the firing temperature of the potteries seemed to range from 750 to 850℃, whereas the lacquer layer was pyrolyzed at 468℃ by thermal analysis. Therefore, a combined layer of combustion carbon and lacquer, which formed the black color, was painted after the body clay was fired.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.15
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• pp.122-137
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• 2014

The National Museum of Korea own a historical document box ^K976 that was once used to store Joseon Wangjo Sillok ^{Annals of the Joseon Dynasty} of the Joseon Dynasty. The rectangular box has a lid, and the entire surface is varnished with black lacquer. The wood of the box had become warped and the upper part of the wooden frame had been damaged. In some areas, the paint was flaking off, exposing the underlying wood, and an iron ring that connected the lid to the body of the box was missing. Thus, in 2013, Conservation Science Department in National Museum of Korea began to repair and restore the Joseon document box. Before the treatment, analyses were conducted to examine the box's structure, damaged parts, species of wood, and lacquering techniques. The wood was found to be that of a linden tree. As for the lacquering technique, the surface of the box was first coated with a layer of lacquer and bone ash, and then covered with Korean traditional paper. Next, the box was painted with a layer of mud and ashes, followed by a layer of black pigment mixed with soot, and then varnished again with lacquer.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.15
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• pp.78-95
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• 2014

To examine the materials, production techniques, and key features of Goryeo wooden lacquerwares, scientific analysis was conducted on six relevant lacquerware items. All of the items, except for a lacquered bowl ^{duksu 4123}, were found to have been made by first covering the surface of the wood with cloth and then varnishing with lacquer. The wooden frames of flower-shaped lacquered case and pine leaves shape lacquered case were made by wrapping thin wood around either the lid or bottom panel. In most cases, microscopic analysis revealed a lower layer of lacquer mixed with bone ash and bone dust, followed by an upper varnish layer of lacquer. SEM-EDS analysis and μ-XRF ^{Micro-X-ray Fluorescence} analysis showed that vermilion lacquer mixed with cinnabar was used on the surface. A lid decorated with a dot pattern was made by first varnishing the surface with yellow lacquer mixed with orpiment, and then irregular dot pattern with a mixture of black lacquer and soot. The vermilion lacquer used to varnish the side of the lacquered bowls was composed of lacquer mixed with cinnabar and minium ^{Red Lead}.