Investigation of polychromy remains on stone sculptures at the National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
As a graduate intern at the National Museum of Cambodia, I completed a survey of the museum's collection of stone sculptures and architectural elements in search of polychromy remains. This relatively low-tech endeavor involved hours spent in the galleries, closely examining each individual sculpture with the aid of an optivisor, headlamp and recording findings with a digital camera or macro-lens attachment for my iPhone. I recorded my observations detailing locations where polychromy remains were found and what colors or materials were present. Over the course of the summer, I investigated over 200 sculptures on display and found ~40 with apparent polychromy remains. At times, it was difficult to distinguish between polychromy and stone weathering byproducts (such as manganese deposits) and this was a definite challenge faced during my survey, as I did not have access to analytical equipment. The results of the polychromy survey are a starting point for further research, identifying possible areas for non-destructive testing, or sampling and analysis. The pigments, lacquers, or gilding which remains on these sculptures may have been applied at any time since their creation, and scientific analysis may help to better understand this chronology through material composition.
This study was inspired by a 2002 treatment conducted by the National Museum's Stone Conservation workshop, in which several layers of polychromy remains were removed from a pre-Angkorian sculpture of a seated Buddha. See more about this project here.
This study was inspired by a 2002 treatment conducted by the National Museum's Stone Conservation workshop, in which several layers of polychromy remains were removed from a pre-Angkorian sculpture of a seated Buddha. See more about this project here.