AIC's 52nd Annual Meeting

Domestic Jain house shrines, ghar derāsars, exist in a handful of collections around the world, and only a few retain their polychrome and gilded surfaces. The elaborately carved, detailed surfaces are exquisite examples of Gujarati architecture but are largely understudied with few dedicated publications. The Jain shrine in the Cincinnati Art Museum is an important example of a domestic Jain shrine. Acquired in 1962, it’s thought to date to the 17th century and retains its metal overlay and polychrome. An architectural piece, comprised of over forty-four intricately carved parts, it stands over 7ft tall. The shrine had been in storage for a decade and was in poor condition when a donation was made to renovate a gallery to display it. The timeline for construction gave only eight months for the treatment of this unique object.

The project presented several challenging and complex components. The most concerning condition issue was a very thick/blackened coating completely obscuring the delicate gilt and painted details. The three-dimensional surface meant it would be difficult to remove the coating evenly. The large size and multiple disassembled parts made it difficult to devise a cohesive treatment suitable for all parts. The short time frame added further complexity to planning and executing the treatment.

The main treatment priority was to remove the coating to reveal the painted details. Removing the thick coating with solvents alone was ineffective. Solvent gels were tested as a typical method for removing coatings on carved surfaces, however the abrasion caused when removing the gel made this option too risky for the paint and gilt layers. Evolon® CR has been a successful option for applying solvents to flat surfaces to remove varnishes and coatings with minimal abrasion. Although not typically used for high relief surfaces, Evolon® CR was tested as an available non-abrasive option. It proved successful in removing the coating without risking the paint and gilt beneath, however it proved challenging to work with on the carved surfaces. Purpose made weights and unconventional clamps overcame this challenge, demonstrating that Evolon® CR can be used just as effectively on carved surfaces, providing an excellent low abrasion alternative to solvent gels. Though this treatment method was effective, it could not be completed on such a large object within the given timeframe. As rushed treatments often lead to negative outcomes, extending the timeframe was essential to the success of this project. Through early collaboration with curatorial and marketing departments the timeframe was successfully extended. Using social media updates of treatment and creation of an informative treatment video, we were able to balance the interests of the museum, donor, and conservation, while also generating public excitement for the eventual installation.

The presentation of this treatment will demonstrate an effective method for coating removal on decorative wood with carved high relief surfaces using Evolon® CR. It will also discuss the challenges and decision-making process in treating a complex object under a tight deadline, and how to advocate and negotiate for support to allow for effective treatments.