12-AL-2006_Nichelino, Hunting Lodge of Stupinigi, G. M. Bonzanigo, 7 Chairs, inv. 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 1930

Facilitated description: 

 

The 7 chairs are made of gilded wood and fabric. 
Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo made the chairs at the end of the 1700s. 
The chairs are kept in the Hunting Palace of Stupinigi, in Salotto 8. 
The La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre restored the chairs in 2006. 
The restorers carried out a cleaning (cleaning the surface of the chairs from the dirt deposited over time).
The chairs had gaps (missing parts) in the wood and gilding.
The restorers stuccoed the gaps (they themselves have a white layer of plaster and glue inside the shortcomings of wood and gilding).
They painted the stucco with watercolor and gold colors. 
They reinforced the joints of the chairs' legs. 
They applied a product against xylophagous insects (insects that feed on wood and damage the work).
Eventually they painted the wooden parts to protect the chairs from the sun's rays and dust.  

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention: 

 

The intervention is part of the first lot of restoration of the Hunting Palace of Stupinigi relating to the Levante Apartment. The project involved the furniture and furnishings of Lounge 8, Chinese Rooms 14-15 and Cabinet 10. The restorations were included in the interventions financed by the Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities with the proceeds derived from the lottery.

 

Restoration

The entire surface of the furnishings has been cleaned with soft brushstrokes and vacuum cleaners. Subsequently, the lacquered surface was cleaned with rubber loaves and scalpels and gilded with artificial saliva in combination with a mechanical action (for the most tenacious residues). Subsequently the gaps were plastered and integrated with watercolor and gold shell colors. 

The support of the furnishings has been treated with anti-moulding and cleaned with soft pennelesses and vacuum cleaners. In addition, consolidation and bonding with strong glue of the joints and cantons were carried out. Under the seat of chairs n°635 and n°633 were inserted two reinforcing cantons.
Finally, a layer of protective paint was spread over the entire surface.