• 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.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.12
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• pp.35-45
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• 2011

To keep relics excavated in the era of the Japanese Colonist's rule in the Korean Peninsula in order, the National Museum of Korea selected some of horse strap pendants (Haengyeob) that were excavated from Seobongchong, Sikrichong and Geumryeongchong, and it investigated conservation and production technique. The horse strap pendants selected were classified into three, that is to say, Oval and fish-tail shape, heart shape and atypical: At the results of microscopic observation, XRF and SEM-EDS analysis, base plate was made of iron, and top plate as well as pattern plate was made of iron, copper and silver. Both Oval and fish-tail shape and heart shape horse strap pendants had horse strap pendants having same production technique and sizes at all of three ancient tombs were made of iron and copper. The gold layer of horse strap pendants except the atypical one having no gold layer were made by amalgam gilding.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.18
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• pp.51-64
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• 2017

The Bracket clock in the collection of the Korean Christian Museum at Soongsil University underwent conservation treatment for a special exhibition. The compositional analysis showed that the body was made of brass plated with gold by fire-gilding(gold amalgam process), while the dial was identified as pure copper coated with enamel. The hands were made of steel. Remnants of adhesive tape on the dial were cleaned, followed by the addition of a protective coating. In order to restore it to a condition as similar to its original form as possible, replacements for missing parts were newly constructed out of brass and were connected to the hands and the dial. The dial was then fixed to the body using an acrylic support. The compositional analysis and conservation treatment have left the clock in stable condition and readily available for exhibitions and future studies.

• 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.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.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.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.242-253
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• 2020

Six ornamental metal quiver fittings were excavated from stone chamber No.1 of the ancient tombs of Jeongchon, Bokam-ri, Naju. The ornamental quiver fittings are metal, but the body of the quiver was made of organic material, so that it corroded and disappeared in the burial environment. The ornamental metal quiver fittings were made in pairs, and decorated one quiver according to the location they were found in and their forms. The ornamental metal quiver fitting can be divided into two types: A band style ornament (帶輪狀金具) which decorates the arrow pouch, and a board style ornament (板狀金具) which decorates the board connecting the waist belt. Two ornamental metal quiver fittings excavated from wooden coffin 2 of stone chamber No.1, were made in the band style, while the ornamental metal quiver fittings from southeast of stone chamber No.1 were identified as two boardstyle ornaments and two band-style ornaments for what was presumed to be belt loops. Material analysis of the ornamental metal quiver fittings shows that they are made of a gilt bronze plate attached to an iron plate, and the surface is marked with a speck of chisel to make lines and patterns. Chemical composition analysis (XRF) established that 24~40wt% Au and 50~93wt% Cu were detected on the gold surface, and it was confirmed that bronze corrosion had taken place on the gilt surface. SEM-EDS analysis of the gold plating layer identified a working line for glossing, and 7~9wt% Hg and an amalgam of gilt layers was detected, confirming the amalgam gilding. CT and FT-IR analysis established that the band style was double-layered with silk fabric under the iron plate, and there was also a lacquer piece underneath. The band-style ornaments have two layers of silk under the iron plate, along with lacquer pieces. Adding the fabric to the arrow pouch increases adhesion and decorative value. It is assumed that the lacquer pieces indicate that the surface of the lacquered arrow pouch had fallen together with the ornaments. On the other hand, the board-style ornaments have a thick layer of organic matter under the iron plate, but this is difficult to identify and appears to be a remnant of the quiver board. The characteristics of these ornamental metal quiver fittings were similar in Baekje, Silla, and Gaya cultures from the late 4th to the late 5th centuries, and enable us to identify the art of ancient gold craftwork at that time.