Maquettes

Conor Tulloch <conortulloch<-at->hotmail<.>com> writes

>I am looking for any advice or literature on the conservation of
>plaster maquettes or models.  I have several plaster maquettes of a
>well-known Irish sculptor that have fallen into disrepair, having
>been poorly stored and handled for years. ...
>...
>
>So far I have been considering fills with silica and Paraloid and a
>cleaning with smoke-sponge and possibly barely wet swabs.

Your treatment scheme for stabilizing the maquettes is consistent
with how I've treated ones in similar condition in the past.
Paraloid B-72 works well to consolidate and mend the plaster.
Exposed iron armatures can be mechanically cleaned to reduce
corrosion, then coated with Paraloid before reattaching the plaster
fragments.

Cleaning the soiled surfaces can also be done as you propose.
Unpainted plaster can become stained, so some discoloration may
remain.

>Further to this, the owner was enquiring as to the feasibility of
>re-using one of the maquettes for a re-cast in bronze, without
>causing any further damage. ...

I think that the owner is confused about what maquettes are.  They
were made as scale or actual size models of what would be finished
sculptures to show people how the finished piece would look or how
it would fit into an assemblage, such as a fountain.  Maquettes in
plaster were not actually used in the lost-wax casting process, but
were used as show models and have become collectible in their own
right.  Once the design was finalized, a wax, clay, or other model
would be made for the mold-making stage.  If the maquette is the
actual size of the final sculpture design, and you can stabilize it
enough to withstand the mold-making process, it could be used for
that, if the mold maker is careful.  I would suggest that the
maquettes in this case be stabilized and preserved, and other models
created for the mold-making and casting process.

Paul S. Storch
Project Specialist III /Sites Collections and Exhibits Liaison
Facilities-Historic Properties Department
Facilities and Risk Management Division
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Blvd. West
Saint Paul, MN 55102-1906
651-259-3257


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:28
                 Distributed: Friday, December 4, 2015
                       Message Id: cdl-29-28-004
                                  ***