Estojo de faqueiro do século XVIII

: conservação, restauro, estudo material e técnico

Abstract

The object of the present dissertation consists of a cutlery case crafted in the 18th century in the style of D. Maria, the author of which is unknown, manufactured in wood and covered in dogfish skin. Coming under the umbrella of storage furniture, the cutlery case was used to store and transport table silverware and was developed mainly in the second half of 18th century, when cases were created for different purposes such as for travel and display. The object in question is constituted by a box with an inclined lid and many wooden components which form an interior display case, coated with red velvet and metal threads. Remains of what would have been the original coating, in fish skin, and many decorative and functional brasses can still be seen. The purpose of the intervention was to restore the physical integrity and original appearance of the case, while at the same time conducting a historical, material and technical study with a view to understanding the context, typology and constructive system of the object and the characterization of the materials found therein. In respect of analytical methods, optic microscopy with transmitted light (OM) and high-efficiency liquid chromatography (HPLC-PDA) were used for the identification of textile fibers and the material employed in its dyeing. The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry technique (EDXRF) allowed metallic bonds to be identified, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze the black paint and the adhesive and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze the exterior coating. The treatment applied consisted of the total dismantling of the case, in the stabilization of the different elements and the application of new materials similar to the originals where the gaps were extensive, such as in the interior lining, and the application of a new external coating. In this way it is hoped that the formal aesthetic presentation of the case can assure its return to the original use, in the context of its owners’ everyday life.

Date of Award	2015
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	José Carlos Frade (Supervisor), Carolina Barata (Co-Supervisor) & Eulália Subtil (Co-Supervisor)