Preservation and Restoration of an Old Wooden Icon with Complex Carved Ornaments, in a Conservation State of Precollapse

Abstract

Wooden icons used in liturgical activities suffer a series of evolutionary deteriorations and degradations over time, due to improper storage and use conditions. The deterioration of the physical state of the structural-functional elements and degradation of the chemical nature of the components often lead old easel paintings to precarious preservation (almost close to pre-collapse), impossible to use or display as an artifact. In this study was included an old oil-painted icon on a carved linden wood support with fine gilded ornaments, which frames a central icon (“Coronation of Virgin Mary”) and a complex Menaion icon system with iconographic scenes. It was made by an anonymous author and dates back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. As the icon has a special beauty and an ornamental and iconographic complexity, having a great heritage value, it required the elaboration of an optimal preservation–restoration protocol for the museum exhibition. Initially, the nature of the pictorial materials was determined, and their preservation state was evaluated using the OM, SEM-EDX, micro-FTIR methods, and CIE L*a*b* colorimetry and visible and UV reflectography were used in the evaluation of the wash test and in compatibility studies. Based on the data obtained, the optimal materials and procedures for structural reintegration were selected (including support fillings and filling of gaps), then chromatic reintegration and gilding, followed by final revarnishing, with or without patination additives.