Greetings!

The Metropolitan Museum in NYC also has a set of similar panels from the
Normandie. They are hung in the cafe/bar area on the main level.  Perhaps
someone there can help you.  Good Luck!

John Nichols
Director of Museum Services
The American Federation of Arts

James Martin wrote:

> I am posting this message for Rhonda Wozniak at the Carnegie Museum of
> Art.
>
> -begin
>
> At the Carnegie Museum of Art, we are treating a 1935 Art Deco mural by
> French artists, Jean Dupas and Jean Dunand.  It was one of many murals
> designed for the French luxury liner, the Normandie.
>
> This mural, depicting the Chariot of Aurora, is comprised of 32 low relief
> panels.  Each panel is carved from baked plaster and embellished with
> gilded urushi.
>
> The surfaces have been heavily restored.  We have not been able to locate
> any records of these previous restorations, and the history of the mural
> itself is very sketchy.
>
> With analytical assistance from James Martin at Williamstown, we were able
> to identify the layers and understand much of the stratigraphy.  However,
> some questions remain.
>
> For instance, we are trying to determine if the silver leaf has been
> selectively tarnished to create a shading effect.  Tarnishing appears to be
> both accidental and intentional throughout the 32 panels.
>
> [Elemental surface analysis showed the black surface material to be
> composed of Ag and Cl.  No Na, K, or S was detected.]
>
> Also, this artist’s gilding techniques are quite unusual.  There are areas
> where an entire leaf line is visible but the lacquer is not solidly
> covered.  The effect is somewhat stippled.  We have been able to replicate
> this to some extent by spraying the size, laying the solid leaf, and
> skewing away the excess. Perhaps his technique incorporated the use of a
> resist.
>
> If anyone has any information or experience treating similar panels please
> contact Rhonda Wozniak at [log in to unmask]
>
> - end
>
> Please copy me any technical information about the artists' techniques.
> Our investigation is on-going.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Jamie
>
> James Martin
> Director of Analytical Services and Research
> Williamstown Art Conservation Center
> 225 South Street
> Williamstown, MA  01267
> tel: 413-458-5741
> fax: 413-458-2314
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]