Restoring Persian Papier-mâché

Hello.

I have this 19c Qajar Persian Qalamdan (Pen Case) I bought recently,
Describing a hunting scene.
I am looking to touch-up and restore the missing artwork.

What may be the stages of the process?
What kinds of filler and paint should I use (Oil? Other?) that are period-accurate?

Thanks!

 

Hmmmm, maybe one of our resident artist/restorers might have some suggestions….I’ll tag her for you, but no guarantees!!! @kyratango, your thoughts??

 

Thanks!

 

@Aquitaine thank you for the tag
@Earl Brill seeing in your question you want period accurate materials, I can’t give any clue, as what I use for my “kyratisations” are permanent markers or make up
Your beautiful piece needs a professional advice

 

It is a wonderful item as it is. If you have to ask such basic questions about restoration, you shouldn’t attempt it. Case in point:

 

@Earl Brill, do you have a museum or art history museum nearby, that you could possibly bring your piece in to and ask them about? Often times they even offer classes & courses......your piece looks like it would involve some finely detailed work.....best of luck with it, and I hope you follow up and let us know how you make out with it!!! Sometimes good resources are hard to come by!!! We usually save them to pass along if they're good!!!

 

I did a bit of a Google search for "restoration resources for small antique items" and I'm sure you can maybe be more specific, but here's what I found for starters:

https://www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=Papier-mâché+restoration+resources+for+small+antique+articles&client=firefox-b-1-d&fir=sewIVr-5LHUrdM%2CdcGgpu96N8MM3M%2C_%3BzBzI7jAEZLFRRM%2CF_zi_IIu3wGpLM%2C_%3BEfO_bjbji-0SkM%2C-svVx5__gvEzAM%2C_%3BGNbJa5okH7tVIM%2C6Da2A2OyBaY5IM%2C_%3BFql1IA_k4giPZM%2CF_zi_IIu3wGpLM%2C_%3Bw4u6dpxj8rkWJM%2CdcGgpu96N8MM3M%2C_%3B3g9PL4EhtvOn8M%2CdcGgpu96N8MM3M%2C_%3BaGkUBC2XEYNBeM%2CdoSUHHpZuUggiM%2C_%3BJyot3wfXpZqpuM%2CF_zi_IIu3wGpLM%2C_%3BiAIWkf4WM5VSEM%2C78D91zm9n2m1wM%2C_&usg=AI4_-kQQNpRsAhNrcFWlK7kXn8aK8FZODA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiC18iGveb2AhVtIDQIHWr6ANwQ420oAHoECCAQCA&biw=1115&bih=569&dpr=1.5#imgrc=8WM48dQbHLkAMM

And if you check out this link you'll see a LOT of info....click on the blue "visit" button to the right and you'll probably learn more about the lacquer coats than you ever wanted to know!!!

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...=0CL0BEDMoTGoXChMIyIedmL3m9gIVAAAAAB0AAAAAEAk

 

Thanks Aquitaine, very interesting. @Earl Brill - jmho but I would not restore this if it were mine. I would love it and appreciate it and use it for something - as is. It's quite charming, a competent painting, I'm not sure that any restoration would be as pleasing to the eye. (Lithographer's case in point is excellent too.. thanks Litho!)

 

if you restore ( perfectly and certainly not cheaply ) it in 30 years time they'll be able to say "too perfect, must be a fake "
why restore it anyway ?

 

I strongly agree with the recommendations for leaving it alone, unless you are willing to do thorough research on the materials and appropriate methods of conservation. In any case, trying to do restoration with original materials would require unusual skills, and would compromise the authenticity of the object.

Here are some references you might explore:

https://www.researchgate.net/public...an_lacquered_papier_mache_casket_Qajar_period

https://fineart-restoration.co.uk/news/papier-mache-preservation-restoring-unconventional-artworks/

https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/4/3/111

https://aata.getty.edu/primo-explor...&tab=aata&search_scope=AATA&vid=AATA&offset=0

Marianne Webb. Lacquer: Technology and Conservation. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000. ISBN 0750644125

 

I'd leave well enough alone too. I know how good an artist I am ... not. Not being the operative word. One Monkey Jesus in the world is enough.