I am a historic buildings adviser and I have been recently asked to provide my view on the proposed removal of an offensive symbol from a post-Reformation alabaster memorial in an chapel that is currently undergoing conservation. I am aware that abrasive cleaning of alabaster is never recommended. Nevertheless, due to a negative connotation of the symbol in question it is difficult to accept it as part of the social history of the place, which also happens to be a place of worship visited by thousands of people every year. It appears that the damage was inflicted by a pointed tool some years ago and although the incision is not deep, dirt that accumulated in the affected area makes it very visible. Obviously in order to remove it the principle of minimum intervention would be compromised, but considering how sensitive the space is and how offensive the symbol is, removing it appears sensible. Could anyone come up with any ideas on how this could be done? Of course a stone conservator would be involved, but I would appreciate feedback from those of you who might have more experience with alabaster than I do.
Adam, I have had good results with using a hard micrcrystalline wax slightly tinted with dry pigment to create the translucency of alabaster. Once the grime is removed from the 3-D markings, (aqueous) the tinted wax is used as the fill. It can spread thinly around the area beyond the damage to crate a slightly build area on the damage to help hide it further, then feathered out. Craig Craig Deller Historic Artifact Conservator Fellow-AIC www.dellerconservation.org <http://goog_627461674> https://www.gofundme.com/2eckaac *"With great intelligence comes great annoyance"* *Bucky Katt * ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Archives through August 2016 at http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/ Archives from September 2016 onward at https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
