• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.24
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• pp.23-36
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• 2008

The stone Buddhas and Shrine of Unjusa temple (Korea Treasure No. 797) in Hwasun formed in Koryo Dynasty are unique style which the Buddha faces each other the back parts of south and north within the stone Shrine. The stone Buddhas and Shrine are highly evaluated in historical, artistic and academic respects. But, the stone properties have been exposed in the open system various aspects of degradations weathered for a long time without specific protective facilities. The rock materials of the stone Buddhas and Shrine are about 47 blocks, and total press load is about 56.6 metric ton. The host rocks composed mainly of white grey hyaline lithic tuff and rhyolitic tuff breccia. In addition, biotite granite used as part during the restoration works. The chemical index of alteration for host tuffaceous rocks and the replacement granites range from 52.1 to 59.4 and 50.0 to 51.0, respectively. Weathering types for the stone Buddhas and Shrine were largely divided with physical, chemical and biological weathering to make a synthetic deterioration map according to aspects of damage, and estimate share as compared with surface area. Whole deterioration degrees are represented that physical weathering appeared exfoliation. Chemical weathering is black coloration and biological weathering of grey lichen, which show each lighly deterioration degrees. According to deterioration degree by direction of stone Buddhas and Shrine, physical weathering mostly appeared by 39.1% on the sorthern part, and chemical weathering is 61.2% high share on the western part. Biological weathering showed 38.3% the largest distribution on the southern part. Therefore, it is necessary to try hardening for the parts with serious cracks or exfoliations, remove secondary contaminants and organisms through regular cleaning. Also necessary to make a plan to remove moisture of the ground which causes weathering, and estimate that need established and scientific processing through clinical demonstration of conservation plan that chooses suitable treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.193-217
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• 2022

The Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha Triad and Altarpiece have not been the subjects of definitive species identification and scientific analysis. In this study, visual investigation, portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), species identification, and lacquer layer observations were carried out to determine the original materials and conservation status. Cracks, exfoliation and discoloration were detected during the visual investigation. The p-XRF data indicated that chrome oxide green, malachite, gold, cadmium red, cinnabar, minium, hematite, lead white, ink stick (Carbon), and copper were used for pigments and the coronet accessory. Tilia spp., Abies spp., and Pinus spp. were identified from both the Buddha Triad and Altarpiece. Finally, lacquer layer analyses of the base layer, lacquer layer, orange pigment layer, and gold leaf layer observed modern synthetic pigments likely used in previous conservation. As the Korean Cultural Heritage Charter and the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites clearly state that objects of cultural heritage must be conserved using their original materials, future conservation of these objects should utilize the data obtained in this study to employ traditional materials. Furthermore, a deterioration map diagnosis can be applied together with the obtained analysis data to understand the conservation status of and inform an appropriate and authentic conservation treatment for the Buddha Triad and Altarpiece.