Neogotik neu gemacht?

Zur Entscheidungsfindung bei der Restaurierung eines Tisches aus dem Weimarer Schloss

Abstract

Neogothic newly made? Finding a Decision for the Restoration of a Table in the Weimar Palace
The article discusses the problems concerning the restoration of a neogothic table of 1803, made for the so-called Bernhardzimmer, a neogothic chamber in the Weimar Palace. The table was lost and later on, at least the tabletop was rediscovered in badly damaged condition with its legs still missing. The table was again to be shown in the Bernhardzimmer, its remaining furniture still being in good condition. Concerning the restoration of the tabletop, different approaches were considered: from the conservation of its current condition to its complete restoration in order to show its original appearance. The latter solution was chosen, in order to show the Bernhardzimmer with its complete furnishings. A photograph from 1900 shows the entire table with four legs, it served as a reference for their reconstruction. However, the back of the tabletop shows traces of iron fittings suggesting an earlier support with six legs. In addition, six well-preserved armchairs matching the four-leg-support still exist; they provided the basis for the final decision of how to reconstruct the support.