Decorative, painted clock face

Hand-painted, decorative clock face, late 18th to early 19th century. Oil paint, enamelled tin and natural resin varnish. Artist unknown in private collection.

Description

The clock face appears to be enamel on tin with a hand painted scene (oil paint, untested) at the top half round. The scene has a natural resin varnish re-applied at some stage in the past. The natural resin varnish has oxidised and become dark brown with age, hiding the true tonal values and fine details of the painting.

Treatment

The discoloured varnish layer in the top half round area was removed with an organic solvent mixture. The painted scene in the top half round area was revarnished with a conservation-grade resin varnish.

Treatment stages

Figure 1

Clock face overall, before treatment.

Figure 2

Clock face overall, after treatment.

Figure 3

Detail of top half round section, during treatment, removal of discoloured varnish.

Figure 4

Detail of top half round section, during treatment, removal of discoloured varnish.

Figure 5

Detail of hand-painted scene in top half round of clock face, before treatment.

Figure 6

Detail of hand-painted scene in top half round of clock face, after treatment.