Professional paper
The conservation and restoration of the underwater iron canon from Stari grad on the island of Hvar
Ivo Donelli
; University of Split, Arts Academy, The Conservation-Restoration Department, Split, Croatia
Abstract
The iron canon was a part of underwater excavations and as such it called for a different approach in terms of its conservation and restoration than iron objects included in earth excavations. A series of preliminary tests were performed, such as salts, metals and chemical analysis, biological analysis and X-ray studies. On the basis of the obtained data, and relying on years of experience in the same or similar field, conservation and restoration was initiated. After desalting and removing incrustation (stones, shells, sand), the next step was the electrolysis, in order to for the corrosive layer to be gradually removed. The surface of the cannon was cleaned through mechanical cleaning and high pressure water washing. After drying it, the iron surface was treated with a layer of protection for iron. The final coating included the application of hot wax and graphite on the surface of the heated canon.
The wooden canon carrier was made of oak, while the hardware was forged and burnished. As with the canon, the final coating included hot paraffin mixed with the graphite dust and was applied on the heated surface. The conserved and restored canon with the wooden carrier has been positioned on the waterfront in the old port.
Keywords
canon; 17th/18th century; underwater archaeological finds; Hvar; Stari grad; conservation and restoration; reconstruction; canon carrier
Hrčak ID:
106273
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2011.
Visits: 1.891 *