How jewelry, glass, pottery are restored in GEM?

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Mon, 21 Sep 2020 - 02:01 GMT

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Mon, 21 Sep 2020 - 02:01 GMT

The precise restoration process of one of Tutankhamun's belongings being restored in the GEM - ET

The precise restoration process of one of Tutankhamun's belongings being restored in the GEM - ET

CAIRO – 21 September 2020: Nisreen Atef Kharboush, head of the inorganic antiquities laboratory at the Grand Egyptian Museum, said that the laboratory is responsible for restoring and maintaining a variety of antiquities, which are not of plant or animal origin.

 

Kharboush further explained that pieces made of metals, pottery, glass, etc., are restored, each according to its condition and that the time each piece spends in the restoration lab depends on its condition.

 

For instance, pieces like King Tutankhamun’s jewelry usually take a long time in the restoration lab, because it had been assembled in a way different from the original one. Additionally, beads on the jewelry are often repainted, and this process can take up to a month.

 

Kharboush added that the number of workers within the Inorganic Restoration Lab is 18 specialists, all working according to a certain schedule to complete restoring all the pieces in the lab. "Everything is studied and timed, and the pieces come out of the lab ready for display," Said Kharboush.

 

Furthermore, the head of the inorganic antiquities laboratory at the Grand Egyptian Museum indicated that a study is conducted on the artifacts that enter the laboratory, especially jewelry belonging to the Golden King, Tutankhamun.

 

According to Kharboush, all pieces received by the lab are photographed, documented in extensive reports, and then dispatched to a restoration specialist according to its type.

 

Kharboush pointed out that work inside the laboratory is divided among three specialized teams concerned with the restoration of metals, pottery, jewelry and ushabtis. 

 

Before the restoration works begin, an action plan is drawn up and presented to the head of the lab for implementation. Changes are likely to occur during the restoration work according to the condition of each piece. Each stage of restoration is photographed.

 

 

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