• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.16
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• pp.122-137
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• 2015

White porcelain pitcher with an openwork dragon and cloud design across its surface in the collection of the National Museum of Korea (Deoksu 5531) was acquired in 1915. The restoration has been so far completed only for the mouth of the pitcher. This study discusses a new method based on 3D scanning and printing for the restoration of missing parts in the openwork dragon and cloud design. A strength test was performed on six output materials that have been already commercialized for comparison with the strength of materials used for traditional restoration such as epoxy putty (Quick Wood^®) and epoxy (Araldite AY103+HY956^®). This process confirmed that the digital technology-aided making of a restoration model requires less time and efforts than handmade work, all the while producing a more precise model. More importantly, this method being a non-contact method, it reduces risks associated with handmade work. Another advantage of this method is that digital pre-restoration images can be saved and used for future references. Notwithstanding, future research is needed on how to effectively apply digital technology for restoration of ancient objects and how to evaluate and use 3D output as well as on the method of shaping, joining and coloring the 3D output.