Cast of Tombstone of Marcus Favonius Facilis
Object property of The British Museum
Cast of tombstone before treatment
Photo property of The British Museum
Cast of tombstone after treatment
Photo property of The British Museum
Condition before treatment
The plaster tombstone has dust and dirt deposits all over its surface. There are various chipped edges and losses all over, and exposed wooden frame elements on its reverse side. The original pigment appears to have discoloured. The sides have excessive handling grease which has been etched into the plaster.
The inscription part of the object at the lower end suffers extensive pigment losses due to moisture. The painted layer has delaminated revealing the plaster. There is a tideline from water damage which has darkened the lower part of the tombstone.
Treatment
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The surface was cleaned with a combination of dry methods: Wishab sponge (vulcanized latex, Smoke sponge (vulcanised rubber), eraser (synthetic rubber), Groomstick (modified natural rubber)
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A 4% agar-agar poultice was tested on the left-hand side but it produced an uneven result, so this method of cleaning was not employed further. The area was toned using Rowney's Cryla colours (acrylic) to even out the appearance of that area.
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Parts of the front surface were wet cleaned with swabs of de-ionised water where necessary to reduce the appearance of handling grease.
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Fills were introduced where necessary for visual coherence. Small areas of loss were filled with microballoons (silica or phenolic resin), in a 20 % solution of Paraloid B72 (ethyl methacrylate copolymer) in IMS (Industrial methylated spirits (ethanol, methanol) : Acetone (propan-1-one/dimethyl ketone)1:1). Larger areas of loss were filled with Polyfilla (calcium sulfate with added cellulose). Fills at the base of the object were made with Polyfilla (calcium sulfate with added cellulose) and added Primal B60H (polyvinyl alcohol).
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Consolidation of flaking paint was done with 20% Primal B60H (polyvinyl alcohol) in deionised water after wetting the area with IMS (Industrial methylated spirits (ethanol, methanol)).
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The exposed plaster was consolidated with 20% Primal B60H (polyvinyl alcohol) in deionised water.
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Exposed plaster and new fills were in-painted with Rowney's Cryla colours (acrylic).
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On the reverse of the cast, the deposited dust and debris were removed with a brush and vacuum. The exposed wooden frame was consolidated with 20 % solution of Paraloid B72 (ethyl methacrylate copolymer) in IMS (Industrial methylated spirits (ethanol, methanol) : Acetone (propan-1-one/dimethyl ketone)1:1 prior to capping with Polyfilla (calcium sulfate with added cellulose) which was roughly shaped to match the original surface.
Condition after treatment
The superficial dust and debris are now removed and the surfaces are clean. The flaking pigments are secure and the tombstone is safe to handle and be exhibited. The losses at the lower end are no longer obtrusive and the object can be appreciated.
