MCI Project Summaries 2008 - Smithsonian Institution

Cooper Hewitt Museum
MCI 6190 Ivory-Inlaid and Ebony Cabinet on Stand
MCI Staff: Donald C. Williams, Mel J. Wachowiak, Ron H. Cunningham, Lynn B. Brostoff,
Judy Watson, Odile Madden, Michele Pagan, Genevieve Bieniosek, E. Keats Webb
The ivory-inlaid and ebony cabinet on a stand was analyzed for materials and techniques
of construction, including woods, inlays, adhesives, coatings and structure;
the warped and cracked ivory inlays were stabilized, and cracked ebony; and, some loose pieces
from the cabinet were re-attached.
With the stabilization of this finely inlaid chest, which has cracks and lifting pieces in the
ivory inlay on wood, it was made more exhibitable. A better understanding of the chest was
obtained by an analysis of the specific woods, and methods and materials of construction. This
permitted a more precise location and date of creation for the object, assisted in selection of
appropriate conservation treatment and helped to establish whether the stand was original to the
object.
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