62 The conservation and restoration of three coats of arms in gilded and polychrome wood carvings, from the Convent of Christ, Tomar, Portugal KEYWORDS: Wood sculpture; manueline style; gilding and polychromy; restoration; conservation. The Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal, is one of the most important icons of the Portuguese Renaissance style. In 2020, it was requested from the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (IPT) the conservation of three gilded and polychromed coats of arms, that portray a shield of the Order of Christ and the insignias of D. Manuel I (1469-1521), the Portuguese royal coat of arms and the armillary sphere, from an unknown author. As the subject of a master's thesis research, the intervention's guidelines, and restoration methodology established was based on the object's condition, its needs, and the results of the scientific analysis of its materials. The intervention plan created was divided into two phases: the first, was the study and examination of the object, and the second, was the treatment of the wooden structure and the surface decorative layers, to restore and preserve the integrity of these objects. The gilding and polychrome layers were quite fragile with cracks, and some areas were at imminent risk of detachment from the wooden structure. To avoid losing any material, we decided on fixing and consolidating the lifted, cracked paint and gilded areas. After ensuring the needed procedures, we performed the revision and reinforcement of the wooden structure, to obtain more stable and resistant support. The polychrome and gilded decorative layers, in general, were in a good state of conservation, besides some gaps in certain areas. The ground and painting reintegration was to improve the aesthetic and, simultaneously, to return its chromatic and historical integrity. During these complex processes, because of the dirt and dust made, we decided to clean the surface decorative layers and the wooden support, after some test trials. Still, the process of chromatic reintegration, describe before, and preservation plans are to be executed and documented. cavacosan[at]gmail.com
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