Restoration Process: The Boullework decorative process consists of a marquetry decoration cut from thin sheets of Tortoiseshell & Brass, which is then laid onto a timber groundwork using ether animal or fish glue. Changes in relative humidity and deterioration of the adhesive qualities of the glue used, very commonly leads to looseness and losses to the veneered surface. The conservation process requires the removal of loose areas of decoration and the cleaning of corrosion products from both the groundwork and underside of the veneer. The veneers are then re-laid having first attended to any structural repairs. Rubbings are made of the remaining missing areas so that they may be re-cut from the appropriate material using a fine jewelers saw. When all the losses are replaced, the Ormolu mounts are lightly cleaned using organic solvents and re-attached to the object.
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