Geschichte und Technik der Wuhu Eisenmalereien

Untersuchung und Konservierung einer vierseitigen Laterne

Abstract

The history and techniques of Wuhu iron pictures
examination and conservation of a four-sided lantern
This paper presents a diploma thesis, which addressed the conservation of a chinese lantern, consisting of metalwork fixed in a wooden frame from the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen in Mannheim. The metal decorations have been identified as Wuhu iron pictures (Wuhu Tiehua). Due to the lack of specialized literature about this technique research on the history and techniques of Wuhu Tiehua preceded the conservation. A technical examination of the lantern revealed that the metalwork is an imitation of Wuhu Tiehua. Rather than being wrought out of iron the decorative elements are formed out of thin iron sheets, which are filled with tin lead alloy. The traditional Wuhu Tiehua recipe for the finish has been adjusted by adding iron filings to mimic the surface of a historically aged wrought iron. The lantern exhibited various types of mechanical damage, which were compounded by the bad workmanship: the iron filings have caused corrosion in the finish. Furthermore the combination of metalwork and silk has caused great damage. One section of the lantern was treated by way of example.