FURNITURE RESTORATION - SCIENCE, ART, CHALLENGE
Part 2: Restoration of a dolls' wardrobe

Maria Cristina TIMAR
Prof.dr.chim. - Universitatea "Transilvania" din Brasov - Facultatea de Industria Lemnului
Adresa: B-dul Eroilor 29, 500036 Brasov, Romania
E-mail: cristinatimar@unitbv.ro

Rodica DATES
Ing., Stud.master - Universitatea "Transilvania" din Brasov - Facultatea de Industria Lemnului
Adresa: B-dul Eroilor 29, 500036 Brasov, Romania
E-mail: rodica.dates@unitbv.ro

Abstract: The paper refers to the restoration and conservation of a small dimensions, but great complexity and beauty furniture piece. This is a dolls' wardrobe of about 120 years old, which is impressing by its shape, proportions, thorough manufacturing, the decorated accessories and its finish with painted ornaments in the style of Japanese lacquer. The artistic value is completed by the historical value of this object which seems to have belonged to some descendants of the Mavrocordat family, family of Fanariot rulers who played an important role in the history of the Romanian Countries in the period 1711-1786. The wardrobe is the only one remaining piece from a whole dolls' furniture set, which was given in 1893 as a present and appreciation sign to the wet nurse of the family. The object was not restored before, though were obvious some previous alterations and attempts to remediate some defects. The present restoration, achieved in accordance to the restoration principles and code of ethics, aimed at the investigation of the object, remediation of the main defects (active isolated biological attack and fragile support, fissures and cracks in wood, loose joints or bond failures, scratches, fissures and exfoliations of the finishing layer), as well as its conservation through adequate preservation treatments.

Key words: furniture, lacquer technique, history, initial state of conservation, restoration concept, restoration methods, conservation.

REFERENCES
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TIMAR, M.C. (2003). Restaurarea Mobilei: Teorie si Practica (Furniture Restoration: Theory and Practice). Transilvania University Printing House, Brasov, 135 pp, ISBN 973-635-144-0.
TIMAR, M.C. (2007). Furniture Restoration - Science, Art and Challenge. Part 1: General Principles and Case Studies. In: PRO LIGNO 3(4): 45-54, ISSN 1841-4737.