Recovery of spouse’s sarcophagus

The iconic Etruscan sarcophagus is partly restored in the display case of the National Etruscan Villa Giulia in the Roman city of Etruscan Villa Giulia. This section covers the groom’s bare feet, the bride’s pointed toes and the lower half of its elaborate shawl outfit. This is the first glimpse of the first thing that looks like after the entire recovery is completed. The contrast with the upper half of the sarcophagus is a revelation.

The restored parts are distinguished from the unrecovered parts, thanks to the new tone of the original surface, which appears after cleaning, which eliminates the old protective layer and the accumulated dirt deposits over time. In fact, the restoration reveals the original surface, with signs of craft and remains of Engelber, retaining its patina and sheen.

The sarcophagus, created around 520 BC, was found in fragments and was sandwiched together in the late 19th century. After the initial work, the only other major protection benefits occurred 50 years ago. The varnish turns black and the corrosive iron clip poses a danger to the integrity of the clay. New restoration projects will be more comprehensive. Each section will be made into a complete casting; it will be laser scanned to create detailed 3D models and replace the old corrosive metal clips with carbon fiber.

Hands-on work begins in May, starting with legs and feet. It is cleaned with a cotton swab, water and a gentle solvent, gentle and non-invasive, but powerful enough to peel off the grey varnish to expose the warm orange color of the original pottery. The restoration workshop is open to the public twice a week to show visitors how to make protective sausages.

The basin part of the sarcophagus under the legs and feet has been moved to the restoration laboratory, so the restored legs and feet are installed on temporary support.