Conservation Project: Greek Vases Photos

Drinking cup (kylix)

Drinking cup (kylix) depicting Eros or Zephyros and a youth (Hyakinthos?), signed by Douris. Greek, Late Archaic Period, about 490-485 B.C., Ceramic, red-figure technique. Catharine Page Perkins Fund.

Before conservation treatment: Discolored overpaint and old adhesive residues disfigure the vessel's appearance.

Before conservation treatment: Ultraviolet visible fluorescence. Restoration materials appear distinct from the ceramic.

During conservation treatment: Large plaster fills and old adhesive have been removed.

After conservation treatment: The kylix’s final appearance is the result of consultation between curator and conservator. Lacunae are toned but imagery is not filled in.

Wine cup (kylix)

Wine cup (kylix), by Onesimos (formerly attributed to the Panaitios Painter. Greek, Late Archaic Period, about 500 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. James Fund and Museum purchase with funds donated by contribution.

Before conservation treatment: Much of the vessel had been restored, and restoration paints have faded.

Before conservation treatment: Under ultraviolet radiation. Restoration materials appear distinct from the ceramic.

After conservation treatment: The kylix’s final appearance is the result of consultation between curator and conservator. Only one large fill has been added, to the viewer's left of the figures, to make obvious the pot's original shape as that of a wine cup or kylix.

Oil flask (squat lekythos)

Oil flask (squat lekythos), by the Bowdoin Painter. Greek, Early Classical Period, about 470 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes.

Before conservation treatment: The surface is disfigured by slip losses and burial accretions.

Oil flask (squat lekythos), by the Bowdoin Painter. Greek, Early Classical Period, about 470 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes.

Before conservation treatment: Under ultraviolet radiation. A previous repair on the neck had become unstable. The adhesive used is visible as an orange-colored material.

Oil flask (squat lekythos), by the Bowdoin Painter. Greek, Early Classical Period, about 470 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes.

After conservation treatment: Most of the burial accretions have been removed. The surface has been cleaned and stabilized. The old repair of the neck was taken apart and redone using reversible and stable materials.

Oil flask (lekythos)

Oil flask (lekythos) with youth playing lyre, by Dorius. Greek, Early Classical Period, about 470 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912.

Before conservation treatment: The old restorations were unstable, with adhesive between the shards failing.

Oil flask (lekythos) with youth playing lyre, by Dorius. Greek, Early Classical Period, about 470 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912.

Before conservation treatment: Under ultraviolet radiation. The adhesive line is visible between the shards, and aged shellac appears on the collar as a greenish material.

Oil flask (lekythos) with youth playing lyre, by Dorius. Greek, Early Classical Period, about 470 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912.

During conservation treatment: Old restorations were removed, and the shards were taken apart and cleaned.

Oil flask (lekythos) with youth playing lyre, by Dorius. Greek, Early Classical Period, about 470 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912.

After conservation treatment: The shards were reattached with a stable and reversible adhesive, and the joins and fills painted to match the surrounding original material.

Water jar (hydria)

Water jar (hydria) depicting a warrior and a woman making a libation. Greek, Late Archaic Period, about 500-490 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Henry Lillie Pierce Fund.

Before conservation treatment: Old restorations were unstable, and the surface is affected by burial salts present in the clay.

Water jar (hydria) depicting a warrior and a woman making a libation. Greek, Late Archaic Period, about 500-490 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Henry Lillie Pierce Fund.

During conservation treatment: The shards were separated and cleaned after bathing for desalination.

Water jar (hydria) depicting a warrior and a woman making a libation. Greek, Late Archaic Period, about 500-490 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Henry Lillie Pierce Fund.

During conservation treatment: The jar is reconstructed, and gaps between shards are filled in.

Water jar (hydria) depicting a warrior and a woman making a libation. Greek, Late Archaic Period, about 500-490 B.C. Ceramic, red figure. Henry Lillie Pierce Fund.