Conservation History

Initial Condition

The original twenty-three sherds have residue from shellac suggesting previous restoration efforts. The surface shows signs of abrasions and staining most likely due to its original context found during an archaeological dig. The handles and spout are fragmented and chipped, while large amounts of the base is missing.

Conservation Treatment

Before reassembly, the prior shellac adhesive was removed using acetone and ethanol to prep the fragments. Once the sherds were re-adhered using Paraloid B72, the larger area of loss was filled with plaster. To complete the aesthetic appearance, earth pigments were chosen to colour the infilling. In order for this vessel to be displayed, a mount was also constructed at this time.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1712

1. Institution: Department of Classics; Art Conservation, Queen’s University  (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)

2. Identification references: AA1712

3.1. Category: storage object, archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation: stirrup jar or false-necked jar

3.3. Name: Mycenaean Stirrup Jar

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of iconography: flower; triglyph motif; geometric shapes; circular shapes

4.3. Iconographic analysis: possible decorative motifs, unknown significance ?

5.1. Material: earthenware clay; red slip

5.2. Technique: hand thrown on wheel; appendages attached by hand; painted; hand thrown

6.1. Unit: cm

6.2. Height: h

6.5. Diameter: di 12 cm

6.7. Form: squat body; recurved shoulder; closed neck; handle appendages; tubular spout

7.1. Manner of discovery: acquired by Vincent and Olga Diniacopoulos

7.2. Place of discovery: Mediterranean Basin

8.3. Region, style, workshop: Mycenaean

9.1. Inscription or Mark “Type”:  N/A

9.2. Position: N/A

9.3. Description of transcription: N/A

10.2. Epoch: 1500-1300 BCE

11.1. Acquisition method:  donation

11.2. Date of acquisition:  2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga

Conservation History

Initial Condition:

Several restoration efforts were attempted on this vessel during the 20th century. Although, no records exist, the reassembly was attempted using shellac. In many cases filling was also attempted, yet residue of the filling was also found on the interior of many sherds implying a hasty application. The surface painted decoration was discolored and faded.

Conservation Treatment

Due to the delicate nature of the fragments, and the hard residuals left by shellac not all of the staining was able to be removed from the sherds without damaging them. The shellac, and plaster were softened and then removed using a combination of ethanol and acetone. The fragments were then primed and adhered together in sections. The large areas of loss required filling with new plaster for its structural stability. The plaster in fillings were then finished by sanding and in painted with earth pigments. after completing the vessel, several remaining sherds were unattributed to this artifact.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1888

1. Institution: Department of Classics; Art Conservation, Queen’s University  (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)

2. Identification references: AA1888

3.1. Category: storage object; archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation:  jug

3.3. Name: Red Figure Loutrophoros

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of iconography: female figures; meanders; lotuses, petals

4.3. Iconographic analysis: Allegories of funeral or marriage rites.

5.1. Material :clay; black slip

5.2. Technique:  hand thrown on wheel; sections adhered with slip; painted

6.1. Unit: cm

6.2. Height: h 26.5 cm (base)

6.5. Diameter: di 16.5 cm

6.7. Form: oval base; cylindrical stem; cylindrical body; recurved shoulder; oval concave neck; rounded lip; applied handle appendages

7.1. Manner of discovery: acquired by Vincent and Olga Diniacopoulos

7.2. Place of discovery: Mediterranean Basin

8.3. Region, style, workshop: Greek

9.1. Inscription or Mark “Type”:  abrasion

9.2. Position; exterior

9.3. Description of transcription: paint surface worn due to fragmentation or burial

10.2. Epoch: 500-300 BCE

11.1. Acquisition method: donation

11.2. Date of acquisition : 2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga

Conservation History

Initial Condition

This cup’s sixty-one sherds had been re-assembled using shellac. The lower portion of the vessel is missing, along with some areas of loss on the body. The sherds also had surface accretions and fading painted decoration from poor storage or initial burial context. In addition, there have been various attempts to reconstruct the vessel, leaving residue, such as wax and masking tape.

Conservation Treatment

All prior restoration efforts left residue was removed chemically using acetone and ethanol, and mechanically. All sherds were cleaned of any dirt, while the edges were prepped for reassembly using Paraloid B72. To prepare the artifact for display, the vessel was completed with inpainted in fillings, ethanol brushed on surface to remove grease.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1718

1. Institution: Department of Classics; Art Conservation, Queen’s University  (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)

2. Identification references: AA1718

3.1. Category: decorative object; archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation: cup

3.3. Name: Black Figure Skyphos

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of iconography: sphinxes; females; males

4.3. Iconographic analysis: Possible mythical allegory ?

5.1. Material: clay; black slip; red ochre

5.2. Technique: painted; hand thrown

6.1. Unit: cm

6.2. Height: h

6.5. Diameter: di

6.7. Form: recessed base; cylindrical body; concave lip; applied handle appendages

7.1. Manner of discovery:  acquired by Vincent and Olga Diniacopoulos

7.2. Place of discovery: Mediterranean Basin

8.3. Region, style, workshop: Greek

9.1. Inscription or Mark “Type” : N/A

9.2. Position: N/A

9.3. Description of transcription: N/A

10.2. Epoch: first quarter of 5th century BCE

11.1. Acquisition method: donation

11.2. Date of acquisition: 2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga

Conservation History

Initial Condition

This vessel has the consistent features of many artifacts in the Diniacopoulos collection. It has previous restoration work with old adhesive that is now failing, and in fifteen fragments. This cup had been reassembled using shellac, but remained incomplete due to missing handles and base pieces. Surface damage included discoloration to the decorative features, and fading.

Conservation Treatment

To remove prior restoration work with shellac, pyridine was used. This chemical treatment did not harm the painted surfaces. For reassembly the sherds were primed with Paraloid B72 (5%) and then successfully reassembled with a stronger concentration of this adhesive. To complete the vessel’s rim, in filling and in painting were applied to simulate the original appearance.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1711

1. Institution: Department of Classics; Art Conservation, Queen’s University  (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)

2. Identification references: AA1711

3.1. Category: decorative object; archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation: bowl or cup

3.3. Name: Incised Black Figure Greek Bowl

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of iconography: palmettes; female musicians; male figures; horses or centaurs

4.3. Iconographic analysis: Mythical allegories.

5.1. Material: clay; black slip

5.2. Technique:  painted; hand thrown

6.1. Unit: cm

6.5. Diameter: di Lip 2 cm wide, Reserved Band 7 cm wide

6.7. Form: missing base; open convex body; rounded lip; missing handle appendages ?

7.1. Manner of discovery:  acquired by Vincent and Olga Diniacopoulos

7.2. Place of discovery: Mediterranean Basin

8.3. Region, style, workshop: Greek

9.1. Inscription or Mark “Type”:  incision

9.2. Position: exterior

9.3. Description of transcription: incised black decorative figures

10.2. Epoch: First quarter of 5th century BCE

11.1. Acquisition method: donation

11.2. Date of acquisition: 2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga

Conservation History

Initial Condition

Like many of the artifacts in the Diniacopoulos Collection at Queen’s University, this vessel had previously been restored and the 17 pieces reassembled. The adhesive used on this jug proved to be cellulose nitrate, after scientific analysis. This adhesive had failed, and upon accession was in fragmented state. These pieces showed signs of dirt, most likely from the original dig site, suggesting it was only reassembled and no other restoration treatments on the artifact occurred.

Conservation Treatment

Prior to reassembling the fragments of this vessel, the alabaster pieces required cleaning with acetone to remove the old adhesive. Once this was complete, the fragments were then cleaned carefully with erasure crumbs to remove surface dirt, but not damage the decorated areas of the vessel. Due to issues with structural integrity, in filling with Milliput epoxy putty was completed after the pieces were reassembled. The new adhesive used was Epo-Tek Epoxy. The last touch was to in paint the filling, and build a mount for display.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1655

1. Institution: Department of Classics; Art Conservation, Queen’s University  (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)

2. Identification references :AA1655

3.1. Category: storage object; archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation:  jar

3.3. Name: Egyptian Alabaster Storage Jar

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of Iconography: lotus; flowering

4.3. Iconographic analysis: Figurative motif; unknown significance.

5.1. Material: alabaster; black pigment; light brown pigment, orange pigment

5.2. Technique:  painted; carved ?

6.1. Unit: cm

6.2. Height: h 32.0 cm

6.5. Diameter: di 62.0 cm

6.7. Form: cylindrical body; recurved shoulder; oval neck ?; handle appendages

7.1. Manner of discovery:  acquired by Vincent and Olga Diniacopoulos

7.2. Place of discovery: Mediterranean Basin

8.3. Region, style, workshop:  Egyptian

9.1. Inscription or Mark “Type”:  N/A

9.2. Position: N/A

9.3. Description of transcription: N/A

10.2. Epoch: ancient Egyptian dynastic period

11.1. Acquisition method:  donation

11.2. Date of acquisition: 2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga