Elle Friedberg
Before treatment, normal illumination.
Image: Jason Wierzbicki, Conservation Photographer
PEONY PLANT
Green nephrite, amethyst, quartz or agate, carnelian or sard, turquoise, jade, glass beads, cinnabar lacquer, wood, ferrous and non-ferrous metal wires, dyed silk threads, hide glue (est.)
Materials
Early 19th century
Year
Artist/maker unknown, Chinese/ Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Maker
Collection
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Penjing (盆景), also known as penzai, is the Chinese art of creating miniature potted landscapes. While this term usually refers to miniature landscapes for living plants, this Peony Plant is an interpretation of this style made with semi-precious stones and silk-wrapped wires. In China, the peony flower is the most popular botanical motif and is known as the “king of flowers.” Peony flowers became associated with royalty during the Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE) and Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE) because they were grown in the imperial gardens. These miniature potted plant landscapes were displayed in imperial palace rooms on tables for display amongst other art objects. The peony often serves as a symbol of wealth, status, and beauty. The arts of lacquer and hardstone carving are historic art forms of China that require specialized tools and techniques.
CONDITION BEFORE TREATMENT
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Overall dust and grime
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Losses in the semi-precious stone flowers and leaves
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Several misshapen wire stems and filaments
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Losses and structural instability of the translucent brown material within the inner perimeter of the flower pot
Detail image showing dust and grime accumulation that is especially visible on the light colored stones.
Detail image of losses in translucent brown material within the inner perimeter of the flower pot.
KEY TREATMENT STEPS
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Carried out radiography.
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Dry cleaned surface of the object with a soft brush.
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Wet cleaned surface of the semi-precious stone leaves and flowers with a saliva dampened swab, followed by water dampened swab.
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Stabilize loose fragment of the translucent brown material within the inner perimeter of the flower pot.
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Compensated for losses in translucent material with toned Japanese paper.
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Compensated for losses in semi-precious stones with cast and toned Paraloid B72 films.
Before reshaping of silk-wrapped wire filaments.
After reshaping of silk-wrapped wire filaments.
Radiograph of Peony Plant (50kV, 4mA, 45s) showing the bundles of wires that make up the stems and the arrangement of wires at the base of the plant where they connect to the flower pot.
Image: Jason Wierzbicki, Conservation Photographer
Before treatment showing losses.
With cast Paraloid B72 fills.
After inpainting.
Additional images. Use arrows to scroll and click on images to expand.
TREATMENT RESULTS
Before treatment.
Before treatment.
After treatment.
After treatment.
Images: Jason Wierzbicki, Conservation Photographer