7mc03-AL-2017_Nichelino, Stupinigi Hunting Lodge, G. M. Bonzanigo, 2 Sofas, inv. 1120, 1121

Facilitated description:

 

The two sofas in gilded wood and silk were made by Giuseppe Maria Bonzanigo in 1787.
The sofas are kept in Stupinigi's hunting lodge in the Queen's apartment.
The La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre restored the sofas in 2017.
The restorers cleaned the sofas from dust with brushes and a small vacuum cleaner.
They filled the wooden gaps with stucco (plaster and glue layer).
Then they painted the stucco with watercolors.
They painted the lacks of gilding with watercolor colors.
They rebuilt some wooden parts.
In the end they painted the wooden parts to protect them from the sun and dust.

 

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention:

 

Restoration

The main focus of the restoration work was on cleaning: surface dust removal was carried out with microaspirator and soft bristle brushes and a dry cleaning with soft rubbers. The lower part of the artifacts showed a consistent sediment of pigmented waxes removed with solvents. The golden surface has been treated both with chemical cleaning and with mechanical action with soft bristle brushes.
The largest gaps have been grouted and chromatically connected with watercolor veils. The stains of the pictorial layer have been lowered through watercolor pencils with a soft mine. The golden leaf, in good condition, has been the subject of minimal plastering and retouching of abrasions with watercolor colors. The missing carving elements have been integrated. Finally, a protective varnish was applied to all surfaces.