Drakens son En objektstudie av en kinesisk skulptur på Röhsska Museet

Abstract

This dissertation and object study focuses on a Chinese glazed ceramic sculpture at the Röhsska museum in Gothenburg, Sweden. The sculpture is supposed to be a part of the museum’s new Asian exhibition, at the museums reopening in the autumn of 2018. The sculpture is in need of cleaning before it is put into the new exhibition. The sculpture also shows signs of material losses, loose glaze and cracks. The aim of this dissertation has been to investigate and map the sculpture’s material, construction and condition. Based on the information found, a proposal for a cleaning program of the sculpture was made. Also, since little is known about the sculpture and its background, it has also been of interest to find out more about this. Therefore, an investigation of the sculpture’s symbolism and historical context has also been made. Literature studies combined with non-destructive analyses, such as digital microscope, UV – light and XRF, have been used. The sculpture depicts Suānní/Jīnní, a son of the Chinese dragon. The symbols of the object have meanings of luck, happiness, protection and well wishing. The sculpture may have been used in association with incense and prayers. The analyses showed that the glaze’s deterioration is due to crazing and shelling. The cracks on the object is due to manufacturing defects. The object also has been affected by wear and tear and mechanical damage. The glaze of the object is lead based. The ceramic, contrary to what is defined in the database of the Röhsska museum, is earthenware, not stoneware. Due to the crazing and flaking of the glaze, as well as the damaged surface of the ceramic, the cleaning proposal for the object focuses on dry cleaning with a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter, and wet cleaning with volatile solutions, such as etanol and etanol, dissolved in deionized water. If the surface of the object is greasy, a solution of etanol, dissolved in deionized water, with a few drops of surfactant, may be used. The surfactant is afterwards removed with deionized water.