Continuing from the first post of our client’s Chinese carved diorama
from the nineteenth century, we move now to the
reparation of the figurines and decorative elements.

Phase Three, Reparation

We used two glues, hide (we use only Old Brown Glue)
and fish glue (we made this time), depending upon the two surfaces being glued.
I am not fond of the smell of either, though Mitchell keeps trying to
reframe it for me, as he calls it the “smell of success!”

Protocol

1. The protocol was to make sure the piece was properly positioned before gluing.
2. The gluing surface was lightly scuffed with a fine, tiny amazing tool called
   Sandits Sanding Sticks, (though we buy them in large lots of the various grits)
   a bit like a Q-Tip dipped in sandpaper.
3. Hide glue was applied to both sides, being careful not to apply too much — I could not come back and remove excess glue at the risk of removing the decorative colors.
4. The piece was either shimmed to hold it in place, or held for about ten minutes until it set up.
5. Broken pieces were allowed to set overnight before a second gluing.

A “Sandit” to lightly scuff the area to be glued.

You can see the glue stains to indicate the location.

Glue to cure.

The leaves were broken in two; the first set glued to cure.

The last two after 8 hours applied.

Simpler glued pieces, above.

This little triangular piece of banister needed
a clever shim to hold it against the rocks for gluing!

Far right female figurine is loose and intact.

This figure was previously shimmed with wood.

Ready to apply hide glue.

In place!

The intact female was not broken; note she also had a previously applied
wooden shim on her backside (compare to the one below).

The broken figurine’s torso was found below where she lives…

Torso found behind the banister.

You can see the thin kozo paper for stability.

Glue is applied to both surfaces.

She is so beautiful!

The broken female figure had a clean break, however, she was so very thin (no wood shim behind her) that securing her was difficult.  I had little room to create a wood shim, so I used Japanese paper, very thin, very strong, applied in layers with hide glue.  This sat overnight, and the next day I was able to slip her into place.

Reparation completed —
unless we find that newel post!

She is so beautiful!

Above, the entire vignette divided into thirds with the details located in each third.
It is so lovely, I wanted to share!

Phase four, wooden base, next post!

Written by Kate Powell  ©MPF Conservation.
May be printed for your own use ONLY, not for use on blogs without permission.
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.