CONSERVA Beiträge zur Erhaltung von Kunst- und Kulturgut

Editorial

Alexandra Nyseth, Hans Michaelsen — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Die Faszination steckt im Detail

Tracy Niepold, Johann Friedrich Tolksdorf, Helmut Voß — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The Fascination Is in the Details
Recovery and documentation of organic materials from the early medieval “Ice Prince's Tomb” in Mattsies
Textiles and other organic materials such as leather, wood or fur are rarely preserved in archaeological excavations. These materials are mostly completely absent, especially from earlier periods of human history. Significantly altered material properties pose particular challenges for handling during archaeological excavations and for documentation and conservation processes. The early medieval child's grave in Mattsies (Lkr. Unterallgäu, Bavaria) recently provided evidence about the quality and quantity of information the group of organic materials contain if carefully recovered and subsequently documented in detail. Together with grave goods made of precious metals, numerous organic remains were preserved due to a stable microclimate that has prevailed in the stone slab grave since the burial around 670–680 AD. By building up a layer of ice with the help of liquid nitrogen the metal grave goods and organic finds laying on the floor of the grave could be extracted as a whole. This enabled a detailed examination in the restoration workshop following the archaeological excavation.

Papiergeld der Ming-Dynastie aus der Sammlung der Deutschen Bundesbank

Jenny Fey, Sonja Behrendt, Antonia Höhne — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Paper money from the Ming dynasty from the Collection of the Deutsche Bundesbank
Investigations into authenticity
Three banknotes from the historical paper money collection of the Numismatic Collection of the Deutsche Bundesbank, which had previously been attributed to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), were subjected to comprehensive material analysis using various scientific methods. The production and widespread circulation of counterfeit banknotes even during the Ming dynasty led to the rapid devaluation of Chinese paper money, among other things. From the 20th century onwards, art collectors’ interest in historical paper money increased significantly, making the proportion of counterfeit banknotes a complex phenomenon. Material technology investigations to determine the authenticity of historical paper money are still relatively rare. The results obtained from combining optical and analytical methods enabled conclusions to be drawn about the distinction between modern and historical materials, and thus about the authenticity of the examined banknotes.

Kunsttechnologische Rekonstruktion des ursprünglichen Hochaltarretabels der Stadtkirche St. Georg in Mansfeld

Annemarie Huhn — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

New findings on the main altarpiece in the church of St. George in Mansfeld
The results of the art-technological investigations of the late medieval crucifix altarpiece in the church of St. George in Mansfeld show a heterogeneous ensemble, which has been significantly altered since the Reformation. The late medieval crucifixion group set into the shrine and also the sculpture group depicting the crowning with thorns in the predella are not part of the original composition. Based on comparisons of dimensions and carving styles, a large-format relief of St. George, also preserved in the town church, was identified as the presumed original relief of the shrine. In accordance with the documented patronage of the main altar consecrated in 1503, the altarpiece was thus identified as the former high altarpiece of Martin Luther's home church.

Die Evaluierung des Vakuum-Skin-Verfahrens zur Verpackung archäologischer Kleinfunde an der Archäologischen Staatssammlung München

Veronika Mayr, Katharina Meier zu Verl — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Evaluation of the vacuum skin packaging process for small archaeological finds at the Archaeological State Collection Munich
Since 2012, finds from Bavarian early medieval burial grounds that have been preserved by conservators at the Archäologischen Staatssammlung München (ASM) have been packaged using a process specially developed for long-term storage. This process involves arranging the preserved artefacts on custom-made archival cardboard sheets and securing them with thermoplastic polyethylene film using a vacuum skin machine. This ensures mechanical stabilisation of the objects, which are often highly fragile. The so-called tableaus, which can be stacked in Euronorm boxes, allow for spacesaving and easily accessible storage. The process saves time and resources, as large quantities of finds can be processed simultaneously and only a small amount of packaging material is required. Since 2012, finds from 35 excavation projects – over 15,000 individual finds – have been processed and stored using this method. In 2024, the method was evaluated for the first time regarding the durability of the materials and the effectiveness of the conservation approach, with the aim of reassessing further procedures for the collection. The evaluation was deliberately kept simple in order to create an uncomplicated method for future regular monitoring.

Die zwei Seiten der Verpackung

Stephan Biebl — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The two sides of packaging
Introduction and control of insect pests via packaging
International trade in goods and parcel delivery can lead to harmful insects being introduced into museums, collections, archives or libraries via packaging. One of the most commonly transported pests at present is the longtailed silverfish, which is transported from house to house in cardboard boxes or other packaging material. This can lead to damage to cultural heritage if the infestation is not detected early through continuous monitoring (IPM) and combated with mobile or stationary treatment methods. In addition to long-tailed silverfish, wood pests such as powderpost beetles can also be transported into museums in transport crates or house longhorn beetles in wooden pallets. Packaging materials such as special films made of multilayer or aluminium composite are also used, among other things, as hermetic covers in the application of anoxia methods (oxygen deprivation) for pest control. Infested objects made of wood, textile or paper can be flexibly and custom-made wrapped and treated on site with the help of these materials. Practical case studies on the application of oxygen deprivation in a municipal local history museum in Bavaria and a state museum in Berlin are described in more detail in this article.

Das Intarsienkabinett im mecklenburgischen Schloss Bothmer

Wolfgang Schitke — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The marquetry cabinet in Bothmer Castle, Mecklenburg
Examination and restoration of the wall panelling
Bothmer Castle, built between 1726 and 1732, is located in the small town of Klütz in northwestern Mecklenburg, between Wismar and Lübeck. The marquetry cabinet integrated into the west wing of the castle is veneered in walnut and decorated with floral marquetry. The room has been neglected over the years. Penetrating moisture caused damage to the veneer and loss of substance, parts of the panelling were damaged by construction work and later heating- and electrical installations. Some of the damaged verneer areas had already been painted over with brown alkyd resin paint and provisionally repaired. During extensive restoration measures, most of the damage was repaired, so that the cabinet can now be seen again in all its glory.

Schwamm drüber !

Mathilda Holschneider — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Hilfe für Kulturerbe in Krisensituationen

Patricia Brozio — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Koordinierungsstelle für die Erhaltung des schriftlichen Kulturguts (KEK) (Hrsg.) Preservation in Perspective. International Strategies for the Preservation of Written Cultural Heritage

Laura Völkel — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Rezension zu:

Koordinierungsstelle für die Erhaltung des schriftlichen Kulturguts (Hrsg.): Preservation in Perspective. International Strategies for the Preservation of Written Cultural Heritage. Berlin/Boston 2024, 312 S., 65 Farbabb. gebundene Ausgabe: ISBN 9783111386461, eBook: ISBN 9783111386713, https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111386713

Bernd Bünsche *23.12.1943 – † 11.12. 2025

Ingo Timm — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Klaus Gernhardt *16.03.1938 – †08.12. 2025

Friedemann Hellwig — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Titelei

Die Redaktion — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Inhalt

Die Redaktion — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200