Considerations on Scientific Conservation Treatment and Original Form of Rain Gauge Pedestals Kept at the Korea Meteorological Museum of Korea

Abstract

The material characteristics and conservation conditions of the Rain Gauge Pedestal of <i>Gyeongsang</i> Provincial Office, <i>Daegu</i>(National Treasure) and the Rain Gauge Pedestal of <i>Gwansanggam</i>, Bureau of Astronomy(Treasure) which have been kept at the Korea Meteorological Administration were scientifically diagnosed, and the conservation treatment for those artifacts was performed. The Rain Gauge Pedestal of <i>Gyeongsang</i> Provincial Office was made of aplite at that time but on the other hand, its bottom stone was made of medium and coarse grained grantite since 1985. The Rain Gauge Pedestal of <i>Gwansanggam</i> was made of medium and coarse grained granite in pale rose color, and based on petrologic material characteristics and characteristic values by magnetic susceptibility measurements, it is presumed to have been made in the late Joseon Dynasty. The main contamination on the surface of the rain gage pedestals is black contaminants which were derived from carbon, and the fiber laser was used to complete the work after dry and wet cleaning were performed. In addition, impurities caused by acrylic colors and paint were removed by the poultice method after the preliminary cleaning. In terms of consolidation as the final stage of the conservation process, the ultrasonic assessment on physical properties before and after consolidation resulted in more than 10% improvement on average. From a perspective of the original form as cultural heritage, the bottom stone of Rain Gauge Pedestal of <i>Gyeongsang</i> Provincial Office has been treated with mortar on the surface and its color was matched during the conservation treatment, which hinders approach to exact information of cultural heritage. Furthermore, with regard to the Rain Gauge Pedestal of <i>Gwansanggam</i>, there is the need to examine whether it served as a pedestal to support the rain gauge(<i>Cheugugi</i>), judging by material characteristics, manufacturing techniques of rain gauge holes and <i>Donggwoldo</i> depicting a rain gauge in the painting. Therefore, the opportunity to establish authenticity of cultural heritage will be required by doing literature research on cultural heritage of traditional science technology, historical research on the original form and natural scientific analysis.