WAX COATINGS ON ETHNOGRAPHIC METAL OBJECTS: JUSTIFICATIONS FOR ALLOWING A TRADITION TO WANEDANAL L. MOFFETT
ABSTRACT—A case study of wax coating removal from a Benin copper alloy casting in the collection of the National Museum of African Art is presented. A brief review of possible reversal treatments used in the past is provided. Unexpected complications that occurred during the reversal treatment due to the different solubilities of the two components of the applied wax blend are described, along with the final successful treatment of the object. In conclusion, it is suggested that the routine coating of ethnographic metals be reevaluated.
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