• 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.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.9
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• pp.31-49
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• 2008

We have investigated and conserved three small Buddha statues dating from Joseon period that were purchased by the National Museum of Korea. Chemical analysis and investigation of internal structures were enabled us to identify its compositions and hollow spaces which have various materials just like fabrics, silver ornaments, beads and wood fragments. The fabrics date from the early years of the Joseon dynasty to the middle one. The compositions of matrix of the Buddha statues vary 80-90 wt% Ag and 7-15 wt% Cu. And its surface layers were gilt with amalgam. Mechanical and chemical cleaning with EDTA-2Na were applied together during the cleaning process.

• 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.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.26
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• pp.119-142
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• 2021

The gilt-bronze-and-silver shoes, excavated from the Tomb of King Muryeong, revealed many defective parts, which constantly raised in-depth re-investigation and reporting. In that point, scientific treatment and analysis were conducted to investigate the manufacturing techniques applied. The conservation treatment was carried out with an emphasis on the restoration of the original form and joining parts. As a result, the upper part of the right shoe and some part of the back heel were joined, confirming the joining method and the number of rivet used for instep bonding. From the component analysis, it is presumed that the outer plate was gilded with mercury amalgam on pure copper, and pure silver was used for the inner plate. The main pattern of the gilt-bronze-and-silver shoes includes designs of phoenix, lotus, and six-petal flower, while the lotus pattern is high in terms of ratio. Thus, youngnaksa(twisted gilt-bronze thread), geumdongsa(gilt-bronze thread), wondujeong (rivet), and samyeonjeong(quadrangular cleats) were used for bonding each plate. Twisted gilt-bronze thread was used to join the inner and outer plates, while the center and rear of the inner plate were combined with only gilt-bronze threads. From the fact, it is presumed that the joining method was different whether the function was decoration or just bonding. Regarding the manufacturing process, traces of burnishing were confirmed on the outer surface of the gilt-bronze and silver shoes, but no burnishing traces were identified on the inner surface of the silver plate, which is likely to prove more importance put on the finishing of the outer plates rather than that of the inner.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.4
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• pp.57-61
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• 2003

From the stupa of Sujongsa-Temple, located in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do province, was excavated a celadon jar with lid, a gilt-bronze nine-storied miniature pagoda and a silver-plate hexagonal miniature shrine, etc. Among them, the gilt-bronze miniature pagoda has been known as a gilt-bronze product since most of its surface has copper tint and the base part has bronze corrosion. Its formal title registered on the Cultural Properties Administration also begins with "a gilt-bronze". However, it was supposed to be a gold product in many aspects: the color and status of the surface, degree of the bronze corrosion creation and the metal thread joining the wind bell. So the necessity to prove its material by a scientific analysis was raised. We examined it with nondestructive method. The results were traces of open-working on many parts of the surface, but no traces of gilding. Moreover, as we perform an XRF analysis, the main component were gold and silver(16%) and some impurities such as copper and iron were found. Therefore, it could be inferred that this miniature pagoda is a gold product.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.16
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• pp.14-31
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• 2015

Sword with round pommel discovered in tomb No.39 in the Jisandong tumuli group (M310) is a large sword with a looped pommel enclosing a sculpted dragon head. The sword was produced using different techniques; gold decoration, plating, openwork carving and hammering by using gold and silver. This sword treated conservation work because it has deformation and damages of handle decoration, missing part of sword, and corrosion. Conservation treatment was that foreign material and corroded metal were removed from the surface, and performed to stabilize and reinforce the weakened metal. During the conservation treatment, the object was examined to understand its materials and production method. The result of research, the dragon head inside the looped, amalgam-plated pommel has surface gold decorations. The pommel has a thin gold plate placed over a bottom plate made of copper, which was hammered to create an embossed design. The silver plate-covered hilt, cylindrical in shape, has an openwork lattice design. The steel blade is single-edged. Finally, the locket of the sheath has an embossed design also created through hammering on a thin gold plate placed over the copper bottom plate.