Die Restaurierung der „geflügelten Pferde“ von Tarquinia

Abstract

The Restoration of the “Winged Horses” of Tarquinia, Italy
The Etruscan sculpture depicts two masterly modelled horses on a terracotta plate. Discovered in 1938 during excavations at the Etruscan temple of the ancient city of Tarquinia, the fragmented sculpture was unearthed by P. Romanelli and restored by A. Falessi. The present restoration entailed the cleaning of surfaces, adjustment of compromised bonding of fragments, uncovering the remains of original colours, reworking the largely interpreted integrations in form and colouring, by following contemporary restoration criteria. A new transparent support plate was installed leaving the back of the artwork visible for studies of any kind and allowing the anchoring of the original bronze nails. A special support was constructed for the restoration, safely permitting every kind of movement and rotation and its easy transformation into a work table. The terracotta was analysed for its clay components, firing temperature and colour pigments. The sculpture is displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia.