A chair that used to be a bed – Reconstruction, restoration-conservation and technical investigation of Roman bed fragments

Abstract

Bed fragments in the collection of the Archaeological Museum in Frankfurt a. M., Germany, were assembled as a chair, a so-called bisellium, in the 19th century. Background information on such incorrect reconstructions is given, including
similar objects in other collections. The Frankfurt object is presented in detail with its collection and restoration- conservation history, the disassembly, as well as observations and scientific investigations concerning its manufacture. The dark patina on the bronze surface and the decorative silver and copper inlays are of special interest. Presumably, a sulfide patina was intentionally applied to the bronze surface by a brush or similar tool before the silver and copper were inlaid. The examination of the silver and copper inlays themselves suggests an unusual  and so far unknown manufacturing method related to the granulation technique.