Plaster adhesive

We have in our collection a number of calcite and alabaster bowls
from Egypt.  They have been reconstructed using a white insoluble
adhesive which, when tested, gave positives for sulphate and
protein--a casein plaster? The repairs are unsightly and the
adhesive has been smeared over the surface of the bowls. Does anyone
know of a way of reversing this medium?  I think that the repairs
were carried out at some time in the last century.

Margot M Wright
Marischal Museum, Marischal College
University of Aberdeen,
Broad Street, Aberdeen AB10 1YS, Scotland
+44 1224 274300 (Conservation Laboratory)
+44 1224 274301 (Museum and answerphone)
Fax: +44 1224 645519

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:65
                 Distributed: Friday, January 30, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-11-65-010
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