Conservation Objects Lab

Tracker Loan Exam Report

Minai Ceramics Survey
Obj. No.: 48.1049
Tracker ID: 159414
Print Date: 08/30/2017

Object Number: 48.1049

Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Object Details
Artist: Artist: Islamic
Title: Prince,courtiers,sphinx
Medium: Minai-i ware enamelled ware
Date: 1150-1250

Survey Details & Notes

01: Materials and

Technology Value Image Notes
Underglaze White
Overglaze Enamel Black, Blue, Dark
Green, Dark Purple,
Pink or Flesh Tone,
Red, White

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 Obj. No.: 48.1049
Tracker ID: 159414
Print Date: 08/30/2017

01: Materials and

Technology Value Image Notes
Manufacture Gilding, Thrown Evidence of
manufacturing
technique (i.e. thrown
lines) can be seen in
the x-radiograph.
Gilding is on top of
overpaint indicating
that it was added later.
Extent of original
gilding is unclear.
Shape Bowl
Inscription Yes An inscription in black
encircles the exterior
rim.

Luster No

02: Condition Value Image Notes

Overall Stability Stable Misalignment has
resulted in steps and
gaps.
Estimated Percent Extant 80%

03: Structure Value Image Notes

Failing Adhesive None
Blind Cracks None
Salts None
Unstable Fills None

04: Surface Value Image Notes

Active Flaking: Overglaze Minor Non-active flaking of
the green figure.
Active Flaking: Gilding None
Loss to Glaze Minor Glaze losses to the
rim.
Iridescence of Glaze None

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 Obj. No.: 48.1049
Tracker ID: 159414
Print Date: 08/30/2017

04: Surface Value Image Notes

Loss to Overglaze Minor Abrasion to the rim
and pitting in the blue
overglaze.
Discoloration Moderate Yellowed glaze
degradation and
discolored overpaint.
Yellowed glaze
degradation appears to
have been scraped
away in some areas
revealing a pitted
surface and leaving
degraded remnants.
Taupe colored
degradation of the blue
overglaze with minor
pitting. Grime
accumulation in
cracks. 5 blue/gray
discolored original
sherds.
Accretions None
Salt Damage None
Appearance of Unacceptable Discolored overpaint
Restoration Material extends over original
material. Inserts are
not cohesive with the
original.
Labels or Stickers (Copy 3 stickers, 1 tag Printed paper tag,
Text) "POLYCHROME
RHAGES BOWL,/
IVORY
GROUND./13TH.
CENTURY.", which is
on top of 2 rectangular
stickers, rectangular
sticker with blue
borders, written in ink
No 617, on the base
in orange "48.1049"

05: Previous Treatment Value Image Notes

Previous Treatment Adhesive, Fills, Labels
or Stickers,
Overgilding, Overpaint
Restoration Style Inventive and Every figure has some
Extensive element of inventive
overpaint.

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 Obj. No.: 48.1049
Tracker ID: 159414
Print Date: 08/30/2017

05: Previous Treatment Value Image Notes

Coating A transparent coating
with high sheen was
sporadically applied
on the surface,
fluorescing blue under
UVA. This was
possibly done to
return gloss after
degradation had been
removed.
Previous Conservation None
Documentation
Fills There are 9 glazed Although the blue/grey
and fired ceramic sherds appear out of
inserts throughout, the place, based upon the
majority are at the rim continuation of the
and 11 fills. They are craquelure pattern and
notably lighter than glaze surface
the surrounding compared to
original and do not surrounding sherds,
possess the yellowed they are original. They
discoloration. In may have been in a
addition, some of the slightly different burial
the inserts are proud environment compared
of the original surface. to the rest of the
sherds.

Overgilding Much of the gilding

appears to be a later
addition as it can be
found on top of
overpaint. Etch marks
and original gilding
remnants, where
gilding was originally
applied are evident
and some areas of
overgilding follow
these marks. Extent of
original gilding is
unclear.

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 Obj. No.: 48.1049
Tracker ID: 159414
Print Date: 08/30/2017

05: Previous Treatment Value Image Notes

Overpaint Approximately 20% of
the surface is
overpainted, readily
seen under UVA.
Linear marks to
integrate losses are
present on the
exterior. Every figure
has some element of
overpaint.

06: Documentation and

Analysis Value Image Notes
Ultraviolet Light Yes Longwave ultraviolet
induced visible
fluorescence (UVA)
shows large areas of
overpaint fluorescing
yellow and a coating
fluorescing blue.
Shortwave ultraviolet
induced visible
fluorescence (UVC)
shows areas
fluorescing bright blue
possibly indicative of a
lead glaze.

X-Radiography Yes X-radiography shows

that the majority of the
bowl is original. There
are 9 ceramic inserts
and 11 fills. Gaps can
be seen between
inserts and original
ceramic. Density
differences where
glaze has pooled in
design elements and
throw lines are evident.

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 Obj. No.: 48.1049
Tracker ID: 159414
Print Date: 08/30/2017

06: Documentation and

Analysis Value Image Notes
Other Analysis Solvent Testing and X Testing indicated that
-Ray Fluorescence the gilding, black,
Spectroscopy white, green, blue and
red overpaint is soluble
in acetone. X-ray
fluorescence
spectroscopy was
performed to compare
the compositional
differences between
the blue/gray
discolored sherds and
the white sherds. Zinc
was found in varying
quantities throughout
the surface as a result
of restoration material,
possibly zinc oxide,
being deposited into
glaze interstices. The
yellow fluorescence of
the restoration material
further confirms the
presence of zinc.
White sherds were
found to have slightly
higher levels of
calcium than the
blue/gray discolored
sherds, suggesting a
more intact glaze. This
was consistent with
visual observations as
the blue/gray
discolored sherds do
not possess the same
gloss and are slightly
pitted compared to
white sherds.
Discoloration cannot
be attributed to iron,
copper, cobalt or
manganese. It may
have resulted from the
burial environment or
an aggressive cleaning
agent.

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 Obj. No.: 48.1049
Tracker ID: 159414
Print Date: 08/30/2017

07: Treatment Value Image Notes

Conservation Priority 1-Displayable with 1-Displayable with
Minor Treatment Minor Treatment. The
ceramic is
predominantly original
(over 75% original)
with minimal overpaint.
Treatment of this
object would result in a
largely intact original
ceramic.
Estimated Treatment 25-30 hrs Requires grime,
Hours coating and overpaint
removal, minor fill
adjustment and
inpainting.

Conservator: Stephanie Cashman

Curator: Amy Landau

Start Date: 8/14/2017

End Date: 8/30/2017

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