• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.138-156
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• 2023

Some of the metal cultural heritage that make up a considerable proportion of Korea's cultural heritage have been installed and displayed outdoors due to their own functions, roles, and scale. Therefore, more diverse and complex damages can occur outdoors than they are in a stable environment. Therefore, it is necessary to combine accurate diagnosis and systematic survey methods in order to utilize basic data obtained from research results as data for the long-term and continuous conservation management as well as to do the research to diagnose the conservation status of outdoor cultural heritage. The clepsydra(hereinafter referred to as Jagyeongnu) of Changgyeonggung Palace, the National Treasure has been installed and displayed outdoors since it was manufactured. Though regular conservation and maintenance of the Jagyeongnu have been carried out, damage still occurred. Therefore, the scientific research on Jagyeongnu to diagnose the state of conservation was conducted prior to the full-scale conservation treatment. First, the state of conservation was investigated with an examination of basic data, macroscopic inspections and past records of repair history according to the purpose of the research. More detailed examinations were also conducted through the 3D scan, surface pattern investigation, and color difference analysis, and the analysis on materials and contaminants were conducted through P-XRF, FT-IR, and Py-GC/MS. The scientific research reveals that squalane and silicone oil have been applied in the past for conservation treatment and directly exposed to outdoor environmental factors, which caused damage to Jagyeongnu and contaminants such as dust adhered thickly to its surface, accelerating severe damage. A greater incidence of damage was found around the part with relatively high exposure effect, which corresponded with the tendency identified by grouping color difference data. As a result of integrating various research methodologies to diagnose the state of conservation and secure basic data, the causes and types of damage were identified. Furthermore, the process of obtaining digital data to be utilized in various ways, and the color difference analysis presenting visible damage as scientific data and identifying the tendency of damage patterns were confirmed to have been effective.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.101-119
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• 2021

Korea's National Treasure No. 229, the Jagyeongnu (clepsydra) of Changgyeonggung Palace, is a scientific and cultural property representing the pinnacle of science and technology in the Joseon Dynasty. Currently, only the large, mid-sie, and small Pasuhos (bronze jars) remain. During a nearly two-year conservation project by the Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center (CHCSC) that began in 2018, conservators identified the contaminants on the surface of the water clock's components. It turned out that the contaminants had been caused by the exposure of squalane and silicone oil, used in an earlier preservation treatment, to the elements. The CHCSC conducted experiments to determine the most effective method to remove the contaminants. First, the conservators tried using an organic solvent, a poultice, and the application of toluene and bentonite, which yielded excellent reactivity and significant color difference changes (𝚫E). However, the reactivity was insufficiently effective to warrant the health hazards to the conservators and the environment (toluene is toxic). Although organic solvents required considerably more effort, time, and human resources, the conservators confirmed that their use achieved a true color difference variation (𝚫E) that was within the same range as the toxic hydrocarbon. Thus, they confirmed that using an organic surfactant was the best method for removing the contaminants.