Page 236 - Copper and Bronze in Art: Corrosion, Colorants, Getty Museum Conservation, By David Scott

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P L A T E 84 Miniature Portrait Bust of a Woman, Roman, 25 Β . C E . - 2 5 C E .
Bronze with glass-paste inlays, H : 16.5 cm; D I A M (base): 6.7 cm. The bust is shown
here before conservation, illustrating pustular corrosion with pitting created
by bronze disease. Cuprous chloride is active within the pits after removal of the
cuprite and malachite crust that overlays the pustules. Malibu, J. Paul Getty
Museum (84.AB.59) .

P L A T E 85 Bust shown in P L A T E 84, revealing smooth surface after mechanical
conservation cleaning. The bronze was treated several times with silver oxide
paste (Organ i96i) , yet this did not completely stabilize the cuprous chloride,
which created conservation problems. The pustular corrosion interfered with the
details in the head, which had been carefully chased by the metalsmith after cast­
ing to articulate the braided and knotted hair that has remained remarkably well
preserved. The earlobes are drilled for earrings, now lost. This bronze probably
resided in a domestic shrine.

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