DOI issue:
Egypt
DOI article:Godziejewski, Zbigniew: Conservation work, 2002: funerary chapel of Meref-Nebef
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41370#0133
WEST SAQQARA
EGYPT
proportions of 1:1. The elasticizing
qualities of applied substances assisted in
removing deformations of various kinds,
such as folds. The end effect is that all the
technological layers have been consoli-
dated, and the colors in the paint layer
saturated.
WOODEN COFFIN (BURIAF 295)
Anthropoid coffin made of a single piece of
wood cut longitudinally in two (Fig. 1).2)
The disintegration of the wood is con-
siderable, the piece having practically lost
cohesion. The fact that it retains humidity
for a long time denotes intense penetration
by micro-organisms (fungi).
The polychromy decorating the coffin
was in a very poor condition, particularly
on the lid, where only scarce fragments of
it could be discerned, but also on the
outside of the case bottom. The poor state
of the wood is the main reason why the
paint layer no longer adheres to the
ground. Removal of the coffin from the
sand only aggravated this condition.
Numerous cracks appeared and the poly-
chromy became entirely detached.
Work was focused on saving the outer
face of the case bottom which is painted
blue at head level and has two parallel red
zones running lengthwise and between
them a white/yellowish strip filled with
a black hieroglyphic inscription (Fig. 2).
The main task was to increase wood
cohesion to the point that it could become
a stable ground for the flaking polychromy,
which could then be pasted down. To
achieve this goal, a 6-8% solution of
Paraloid B-72 in toluene with acetone
added was applied with a syringe under the
detached flakes and inside the body of the
wood; the procedure was repeated six times
at two-day intervals. After the last ap-
plication, the object was left under
a melinex and loaded with sand-filled
plastic bags. This tightened the poly-
chromy to the reinforced wooden ground.
MASKS OF WOODEN COFFINS
(BURIAFS 335,3) 340, 341)
The masks were removed from the
destroyed lids of coffins. Facial parts and
Fig. 2. Wooden coffin from Burial 295. Outer
face of case bottom with painted
decoration, state upon discovery
(Photo W.Jerke)
2) For the discovery of the coffin, see contribution by K. Mysliwiec in this volume.
3) Cf. contribution by A. Kowalska in this volume, especially Figs. 1-2 on pp. 142-143.
131
EGYPT
proportions of 1:1. The elasticizing
qualities of applied substances assisted in
removing deformations of various kinds,
such as folds. The end effect is that all the
technological layers have been consoli-
dated, and the colors in the paint layer
saturated.
WOODEN COFFIN (BURIAF 295)
Anthropoid coffin made of a single piece of
wood cut longitudinally in two (Fig. 1).2)
The disintegration of the wood is con-
siderable, the piece having practically lost
cohesion. The fact that it retains humidity
for a long time denotes intense penetration
by micro-organisms (fungi).
The polychromy decorating the coffin
was in a very poor condition, particularly
on the lid, where only scarce fragments of
it could be discerned, but also on the
outside of the case bottom. The poor state
of the wood is the main reason why the
paint layer no longer adheres to the
ground. Removal of the coffin from the
sand only aggravated this condition.
Numerous cracks appeared and the poly-
chromy became entirely detached.
Work was focused on saving the outer
face of the case bottom which is painted
blue at head level and has two parallel red
zones running lengthwise and between
them a white/yellowish strip filled with
a black hieroglyphic inscription (Fig. 2).
The main task was to increase wood
cohesion to the point that it could become
a stable ground for the flaking polychromy,
which could then be pasted down. To
achieve this goal, a 6-8% solution of
Paraloid B-72 in toluene with acetone
added was applied with a syringe under the
detached flakes and inside the body of the
wood; the procedure was repeated six times
at two-day intervals. After the last ap-
plication, the object was left under
a melinex and loaded with sand-filled
plastic bags. This tightened the poly-
chromy to the reinforced wooden ground.
MASKS OF WOODEN COFFINS
(BURIAFS 335,3) 340, 341)
The masks were removed from the
destroyed lids of coffins. Facial parts and
Fig. 2. Wooden coffin from Burial 295. Outer
face of case bottom with painted
decoration, state upon discovery
(Photo W.Jerke)
2) For the discovery of the coffin, see contribution by K. Mysliwiec in this volume.
3) Cf. contribution by A. Kowalska in this volume, especially Figs. 1-2 on pp. 142-143.
131