Scientific Conservation Treatment of the Gilt-bronze Yoni Excavated from Hong Nang Sida Temple in Lao PDR |
Jae Sung Lee1, Yu Gun Chun2, Dong Min Kim2 |
1Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Daejeon 34122, Korea 2International Cooperation Center, Korea Heritage Agency, Seoul 06153, Korea |
Correspondence:
Yu Gun Chun, Tel: +82-02-3011-2627, Email: chunyg16@chf.or.kr |
Received: 13 November 2024 • Revised: 25 November 2024 • Accepted: 20 December 2024 |
ABSTRACT |
The gilt-bronze yoni excavated from the Hong Nang Sida Temple in Lao PDR is the first gilt-bronze artifact of its kind to be discovered in Las PDR and is thus recognized for its significant historical value. At the time of its discovery, the bottom of the gilt-bronze yoni had already been damaged and dirt had firmly adhered to its entire body. Therefore, conservation treatment involving surface cleaning, stabilization treatment, reinforcement treatment, attachment of fragments, and restoration of the missing parts was carried out in order to conserve the artifact for a long time. To identify the manufacturing method of the gilt-bronze yoni, observation under an electron microscope and component analysis were carried out, confirming that the exterior was produced by casting using bronze, and then gold plated by amalgam using mercury. Also, based on a digital image analysis that showed extensive corrosion in the upper part of the yoni, it was judged highly likely that the artifact had been directly used in Hindu religious ceremonies. Furthermore, as a result of measuring the radiocarbon age of the molding sand remaining inside the gilt-bronze yoni, the production period was estimated to be around 1,099 土 84 years BP, meaning that the yoni was manufactured around the eleventh or twelfth century, which is similar to the construction period of the Hong Nang Sida Temple. |
Key Words:
Hong Nang Sida Temple, Gilt-bronze yoni, Conservation treatment, Lao PDR |
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