Reinforcing sculpture joints

Suvi Leukumaavaara <gattopardos [at] rocketmail__com> writes

>... I'm looking for information
>on material used to cover or reinforce the joints of the sculpture
>(linden). The material used on the object I'm working with looks
>like it could be tendon or swim bladder (ripped longitudinal
>direction?). The reference material I've used is dry elk (deer)
>tendon and dry sturgeon swim bladder. It might be possible that the
>sculpture comes from Tallinn/Estonia (Lubeck style), which might
>explain the possible use of sturgeon swim bladder?
>
>I haven't found any articles or information on this subject, has
>anyone experience/info on these materials used as joint
>reinforcement, or any other suggestions what it might be?

My suggestion would be that you consult first of all Peter
Tangeberg's (Sweden) Book "Holzskulptur undd Altarschrein" , Callway
Munchen 1989 a basic book, and himself . There is literature on what
materials were used to cover splits, knots and else in panel
painting and wooden polychrome sculpture. . There is the series of
important postprints, Gilded Wood and  Painted Wood, from the AIC
wooden artifacts group, there is the Panel "Structural Conservation
of Panel Paintings", Postprints edt. by Getty in 1999, there is the
Reclams Handbuch der kunstlerischen Techniken, Vol 1 , by H.Kuhn,
H.Roosen-Runge, R.E.Straub and M. Koller, etc. There is Eike
Oellerman in Germany, specialist on Tilman Riemenschneider et Berndt
Notke. There may be consulted  also Miriam Serck at the IRPA in
Brussels and Agnes Ballestrem at the NCI, international specialists
on polychrome sculpture and certainly local experienced
conservators. You might want to have the material in question
identified biologically, etc. It would be interesting if you
communicated your findings.

Hans-Christoph von Imhoff
Conservateur-restaurateur CR-SCR, FIIC, PA-AIC
Lorette 28
CH - 1700 Fribourg / Suisse
+41 26 321 14 44
Fax: +41 26 321 14 40


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 13:48
                  Distributed: Friday, March 24, 2000
                       Message Id: cdl-13-48-007
                                  ***