CIRCE

O’Sullivan Conservation was engaged by a private client to undertake a conservation repair on a statuette version of Bertram Mackennal’s Circe, produced in a limited run by the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW). The ring finger on the statuette’s left hand had separated from the main body of the piece, and a layer of dust was present overall.

Upon arrival at the OSC workshop, the statuette was photographed, and conservation cleaned. Minor areas of white overpaint were manually removed and both bonding surfaces on the left ring finger were mechanically and solvent cleaned. Following a careful inspection of the break site a compatible and effective adhesive was selected. The bonding surfaces were carefully prepared prior to setting the detached finger in place. Following the adhesives appropriate curing time, the bond was stress tested to ensure satisfactory adhesion. Minor losses in the join were then filled with pigmented wax, and the area was inpainted where required.