Shipping damage to sculptures can be a significant concern, as sculptures are often delicate and can be easily damaged during transit if not adequately protected and handled. Take, for example, these two sculptures portraying polo players from the Tang Dynasty, a historic imperial era in China spanning from 618 to 907 CE. These sculptures capture the dynamic nature of the sport, showcasing horses in full mid-stride gallop, their riders poised for play. Notably, the use of distinct colors on each figure signifies their affiliation with opposing teams, adding visual depth to these artifacts.
Tang Dynasty Polo Player, before treatment
These sculptures are made of terracotta, a low-fired ceramic that is quite fragile. Sadly, many sculptures come to The Center with damage due to improper shipping, and this pair was placed in the care of Senior Conservator of Objects and Frames Josh McCauley. Reflecting on the poor shipment, Josh remarked "The pair were shipped to the client very poorly. Shipment mistakes can be devastating to a work of art, something we see a lot of."
Tang Dynasty Polo Player, before treatment
The sculptures arrived at The Center with severe impact damage. The first sculpture had damage to the legs of the horse and the arms and head of the figure. The front left leg had a break at the ankle, the front right leg had a break at the elbow, and the right hind leg of the horse had a break at the ankle. There was also a fracture at the knee of the left hind leg. The figure had breaks at the neck, right elbow, and left shoulder.
The second sculpture had severe impact damage to the legs and tail of the horse. The front left leg had a break at the hoof, and the front right leg had a break at the elbow. The left hind leg had broken at the knee and the hoof, and the right hind leg was broken at the knee and the hoof. The tail had broken away from the horse's body as well.
Both sculptures had losses at all break edges ranging from minimal to moderate. Losses are expected with sculpture breaks, especially with fragile ceramics. Both sculptures also had evidence of prior repairs, with some adhesive remaining, and the polychrome paint layer was friable on both sculptures and had inherent paint losses.
Reassembling broken sculptures is like solving a puzzle, and as with any puzzle, having all the pieces present can make a world of difference. This significantly reduced the need for interpretation and filling. Josh began treatment by gathering every available piece. "The sculptures were brought to The Center in the same shipment boxes where the damage occurred. Because of this, I was able to go through the boxes and collect all the ceramic fragments. When all the fragments are provided for an object, it reduces the need to fill or interpret the areas of loss."
The broken edges were then consolidated, and the fragments were adhered to their original positions using a conservation adhesive. The small remaining losses at the break edges were filled with pigmented materials before gently surface cleaning with a soft brush. Finally, the fills were inpainted with watercolors to emulate the original polychrome.
Tang Dynasty Polo Player, after treatment
Tang Dynasty Polo Player, after treatment
The severity of impact damage to both sculptures posed a significant challenge, with numerous breaks and losses. Piecing together these sculptures like intricate puzzles, utilizing all available fragments from the original shipment boxes, was instrumental in the conservation process. Careful consolidation of broken edges, adhesive application, and pigmented fillings restored the sculptures to their former glory. Such intricate work not only revives the sculptures' visual appeal but also preserves their historical and cultural significance, emphasizing the crucial role of art conservation in safeguarding our artistic heritage. Now, back with their owner, they shared their appreciation for this process, "Josh brought [them] back to life. I am indebted to him."
Tang Dynasty Polo Player, after treatment
Tang Dynasty Polo Player, after treatment
