ConNext-2021

10 Investigation on an aged ebony imitation The black bookcase of Ludwigsburg Residential Palace KEYWORDS: ebonising, light damage, Ludwigsburg, Johannes Klinckerfuß (1770- 1831), neoclassicism. The apartments of queen Charlotte Auguste Mathilde of Württemberg (1766-1828) in the Residential Palace of Ludwigsburg (Germany) contain an ensemble of ebonised and mahogany-coloured furniture in the so-called ‘Toilette Zimmer’ (dressing room). Two identical ebonised bookcases with drawers, as part of the ensemble, are attributed to Johannes Klinckerfuß (1770-1831), cabinetmaker to the court and formerly apprentice to the renowned Ebeniste David Roentgen. In preparation of an exhibition to display a reconstruction of the apartment’s original arrangements dating to around 1800, the Cologne Institute for Conservation Sciences (CICS) was asked to participate in the investigation of selected objects. The examination of one of the two bookcases (Inv. Sch.L. 1726) were about general investigations regarding the construction, material and surfaces. This poster presentation will detail the examination of the surface condition and its treatments. Of particular interest was the condition of the ebonised surfaces which were examined using UV light to establish the presence of a possible coating layer stratification. This analysis revealed that only the surfaces of the drawer fronts had been refinished, whereas most of the ebony imitation remains in near original condition - apart from fading caused by light exposure. The analysis of photographic archival records of the ‘Toilette-Zimmer’ showing one of the two bookcases positioned on a table near a window - allowed to correlate the incident of sunlight with the mapped light damage. Comparing the ebonised furniture objects of Ludwigsburg poses several research questions for further investigation: How do this bookcase and its identical partner fit into the ensemble as other pieces in the collection context show coatings that cannot be classified as ebony imitation. Furthermore, which similarities and differences can be identified, and are there possible subgroups? Based on the discussed results, the presentation aims to encourage further research. lguertle[at]fh ‐ koeln.de