PLASTER

Plaster cast of Uffizi Wrestlers

Plaster cast of Uffizi Wrestlers

Much of the the bottom wrestler's head was missing.

Plaster cast of Uffizi Wrestlers

After treatment

Plaster cast of Uffizi Wrestlers

Before treatment

Plaster cast of Uffizi Wrestlers

Another copy of the cast was located, and a mold was made of the back of the other cast's head.

Plaster cast of Uffizi

The new pieces were inset, then the seams were smoothed, plastered over, and hand-colored to match the original aged plaster.

Plaster cast of Uffizi Wrestlers

After treatment

Modern horse sculpture

Before treatment: most of the snout and both ears were missing.

Modern horse sculpture

In process: new pieces were sculpted in place using thermosetting resin.

Modern horse sculpture

After treatment: the new pieces were colored to match the original surface, and waxed to bring up the shine.

Bust of Theodore Roosevelt

Before treatment

Bust of Theodore Roosevelt

Bust of Theodore Roosevelt

Portrait bust

Before and after treatment

Portrait bust

Before and after treatment

Full size cast of Capitoline Venus

Before treatment

Capitoline Venus cast

Capitoline Venus cast

During treatment: nine new fingers sculpted in place and braced to dry.

Plaster casts of classical Venuses

The Capitoline Venus was one of several life-size 19th century plaster casts of classical marble goddess sculptures that were treated for a museum exhibition.

18th century Parisian swan and putti

Before treatment

18th century Parisian swan and putti

After treatment: repaired, surface restored, gilt touched in

19th century plaster portrait relief

Multi-part Nike cast

Before treatment. This large plaster cast of a classical marble Nike was made in nine sections, which stack to create the figure.

Torso section of multi-part Nike

Before treatment.

Torso section of multi-part Nike

Much of the material around the break at the waist was missing, so fiberglass was used to rebuild the missing sections from the inside.

Torso section of multi-part Nike

After treatment: the fiberglass fills were colored to match the original plaster surface.

Torso section of multi-part Nike

After treatment: front view of the restored waist.

Multi-part Nike, installation view

After treatment: installation of all nine sections, to form one large figure

RCA Victor dog (1920s)

Before treatment: both ears were missing, and the head showed long structural cracks.

RCA Victor dog (1920s)

After treatment: cracks sealed, ears sculpted in place, and color touched in.

19th c. Brontosaurus teaching model

This teaching model had several cracks and broken sections.

Cast of classical Orestes & Elektra

Before treatment: this cast was broken in dozens of pieces.

Cast of classical Orestes & Elektra

After treatment: pieces repaired, base strengthened and supported, and missing elements created.