Inlaid Marble Bust (19th century)

SUMMARY
A treatment of a European-style carved stone bust of a bearded figure in Roman-like dress, composed of multicolored stone on a square-bottomed base. The piece was in three major fragments when received, as well as eight small fragments (1-2”) and approximately a dozen very small fragments (1/2-1/4”).

TREATMENT
Small samples of the yellow stone of the body and the white stone of the head were tested with a drop of hydrochloric acid which caused both samples to bubble rigorously, indicating the presence of a carbonate, and therefore that both stones were likely forms of marble (calcium carbonate).

The yellow marble and veneers were cleaned mechanically with a cosmetic sponge, and mineral spirits were applied with a cotton swab to loosen surface grime only where it was thickest.

The four small fragments at the back of the neck on Fragment B, as well as the small fragment in the front of the folded mantel on Fragment B, were re-adhered with 30% B72 in acetone. Fragment A was joined to Fragment B with “Tullio” (a 3:1 blend of B72:B48N in 3:27 ethanol:acetone) and allowed to cure for two weeks. 10% B72 in acetone was used to consolidate the loose pieces of stone in the damaged back corner of Fragment C. Fragment A/B was then joined to Fragment C with Tullio and allowed to cure for an additional two weeks.

Losses were filled with a variety of materials including B72 bulked with calcium carbonate powder and gypsum powder; Flügger tinted with Golden Acrylics; and Magic Sculpt two-part epoxy clay. Fills were inpainted with Golden Acrylics.