Alabaster and solvent gels

I am currently undertaking my Masters research on the subject of
using solvent gels to clean a Medieval English alabaster relief. The
relief is made from UK Nottinghamshire white alabaster and has been
thickly faced with paint (possibly fairly modern house paint?), with
expected underlying original Medieval pigments remaining in the
interstices of the carving beneath. My research is examining
different solvent gels that could safely remove the paint without
causing damage to the original pigment and alabaster.

Has anyone had success using solvent gels to remove over-paint from
the surface of alabaster?

Also could anyone suggest good reading materials or journals that
may be useful to this subject, or are there any specialist's out
there who would be willing to talk or write to me about sharing
their knowledge and expertise for my research?

Amelie Drewdun


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:29
                 Distributed: Sunday, December 18, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-29-018
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