Conservation History

Initial Condition

The surviving portion of this large vessel includes seventy-three sherds of the upper portion. These pieces show signs of previous adhesive and filling suggesting multiple restoration efforts to display this piece’s aesthetic qualities. Clean edges on some of the sherds show that the reconstructed vessel was broken after burial. In addition, less noticeable areas of the vessel where not cleaned of original dirt from burial site.

Conservation Treatment

The conservation treatment took place over several years. The old shellac adhesive required softening prior to removal. Once the shellac was removed through mechanical and chemical cleaning, the sherds were desalinated and remaining accretions were cleaned. The sherds were primed and adhered with Paraloid B72. Plaster was used to fill several areas of loss and an appropriate storage container was constructed.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1827

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

2. Identification references: AA1827

3.1. Category: funerary object; wedding object;  archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation:  jar

3.3. Name: Greek Red Figure Vessel

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of iconography: female figures; geometric pattern;

4.3. Iconographic analysis: Possible representations of death or wedding rituals.

5.1. Material: clay; clay slip; black slip

5.2. Technique: Painted; hand thrown

6.1. Unit: cm

6.2. Height: h

6.5. Diameter: di

6.7. Form: missing base; cylindrical body; recurved shoulder; applied neck; applied handle appendage

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 neck; handles

9.3. Description of transcription: black slip worn away due to burial or use

10.2. Epoch: 5th -1st century BCE

11.1. Acquisition method: Donation

11.2. Date of acquisition: 2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga

Conservation History

Initial Condition

This small vessel was reassembled, filled with wax, and has old painted plaster fills. Many of the fragments were misaligned contributing to the poor state. On the surface signs of deterioration was present alongside discoloration and fractures.

Conservation Treatments

In order to separate and remove the prior adhesive, wax, and filling acetone fumes were used on the vessel. Once all the fragments were separated the over painting from the old filling that had been applied to the glass surface was removed with ethanol. Structural filling was required, once the fragments were reassembled with Paraloid B72. To complete the aesthetic continuity of the vessel watercolours were applied to the fillings.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1744

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

2. Identification References: AA1744

3.1. Category: functional object; archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation:  jug

3.3. Name: Egyptian Glass Vessel

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of Iconography: ribbed pattern

4.3. Iconographic analysis: decorative motif

5.1. Material: green glass; white pigment

5.2. Technique: incised; painted; hand blown

6.1. Unit: cm

6.2. Height: h 8.2  cm

6.5. Diameter: di 17.0 cm

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:  unknown

9.1. Inscription or Mark: “Type”:  incised

9.2. Position: exterior body

9.3. Description of transcription: incised ribbed decoration painted white

10.2. Epoch: Ancient Egyptian

11.1. Acquisition method:  donation

11.2. Date of acquisition: 2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga

Conservation History

Initial Condition

The vessel’s fragments of the alabaster vessel had retained dirt, most likely form original dig sit. These pieces also showed signs of unknown brown staining on the interior surfaces. This Egyptian vessel has undergone previous restoration work, where shellac was used to adhere the fragments for reassembly.

Conservation Treatment

After an analysis of the stone fragments was done to confirm it was alabaster, the fragments required mechanical cleaning. This was done using brushes and other tools to remove dirt, while acetone and ethanol worked to remove the old shellac. The appearance of the brown accretion was lessened by chemical and mechanical cleaning. The reassembly required the use of epoxy, and for structural stability, some in filling was done completed with watercolour in painting.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1656

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

2. Identification references: AA1656

3.1. Category: funerary object; archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation : jar

3.3. Name: Egyptian Alabaster Funerary Vessel

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of iconography: lotus; wheat; sun; circles; geometric shapes

4.3. Iconographic analysis: figurative exterior motif related to funerary rituals ?

5.1. Material: alabaster; red pigment; black pigment

5.2. Technique: painted; carved ?

6.1. Unit: cm

6.2. Height: h 36.195 cm

6.5. Diameter: di 18.415 cm

6.7. Form: oval base; cylindrical body;  recurved shoulder; conical 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”:  staining

9.2. Position: interior

9.3. Description of transcription: red-brown stains on interior could be pigment or human remains

10.2. Epoch: 950-900 BCE

11.1. Acquisition method: donation

11.2. Date of acquisition:  2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga

Conservation History

Initial Condition

The vessel was fragmented in eighteen sherds, and upon analysis revealed signs of multiple adhesives used suggesting multiple restoration attempts. The previous adhesive, probably shellac, like many of the other vessels was not applied carefully and the excess spilled onto the surface of the fragments. The sherds’ surfaces included signs of damage from the shellac, flaking, and discoloration of the black slip. In addition, there are dirt and surface incrustations due to poor storage or originating from its original burial context.

Conservation Treatments

In order to reassemble the sherds, each one required mechanical and chemical cleaning. This was done to remove previous shellac, and plaster, as well as surface dirt and salt efflorescence. These fragments were then primed and adhered using Paraloid B72. To complete the vessels surface, filling with plaster was done to complete the areas of loss. Lastly, in painting applied to the filling to display an aesthetic continuity of the original artifact.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1635

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

2. Identification references: AA1635

3.1. Category: Storage object; archaeological artifact

3.2. Designation:  Jug

3.3. Name: Black Figure Pelike

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of iconography: meanad; satyrs

4.3. Iconographic analysis: Mythical scene in association with wine

5.1. Material: Clay; black slip

5.2. Technique:  Painted; hand thrown

6.1. Unit: Cm

6.2. Height: h 13.0 cm

6.3 Length: l 10.0 cm

6.5. Diameter: di 6.82 cm (rim)

6.7. Form: Recessed base; squat body; cylindrical 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; flaking; incised

9.2. Position: exterior

9.3. Description of transcription: signs of damage on the upper sections to the black slip; incised decoration on body

10.2. Epoch: 6th century BCE

11.1. Acquisition method:  donation

11.2. Date of acquisition:  2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga

Conservation History

Initial Condition

Upon arrival to Queen’s University, this goblet had lost its stem, foot, and part of its rim. The damage was assessed, concluding that several of the pieces had been attempted to be adhered together. There was also evidence of prior filling and overpainting on the exterior surface. Lastly, there were also abrasions on the glass’ exterior from its original archaeological context.

Conservation Treatment

Once the failing adhesive, old filling and overpainting had been removed with ethanol, the glass sherds were thoroughly cleaned. Reassembly of these sherds took place using Paraloid B72 in acetone, and no modern filling or overpainting was attempted. This goblet’s display mount was also constructed at this time.

Metadata

0. Identification: AA1646

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

2. Identification references: AA1646

3.1. Category: decorative vessel, Archaeological Artifact

3.2. Designation:  goblet

3.3. Name: Ancient Mosaic Glass Goblet

3.4. Details: Diniacopoulos Collection

4.2. Description of iconography: Mosaic

4.3. Iconographic analysis: Decorative pattern

5.1. Material: brown; deep purple; yellow; white glass

5.2. Technique:  sagged; cast in mold; exterior and rim polishing

6.1. Unit: Cm

6.2. Height: h 8.00 cm

6.5. Diameter: di 6.375 cm

6.7. Form: convex body; missing stem

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

7.2. Place of discovery: Mediterranean Basin

8.3. Region, style, workshop:  Roman

9.1. Inscription or Mark “Type” : mold marks

9.2. Position: interior

9.3. Description of transcription: None

10.2. Epoch: 1st century CE

11.1. Acquisition method:  donation

11.2. Date of acquisition:  2001

11.3. Previous owner: Diniacopoulos, Olga