Sepiolite: An Ethiopian Incense Burner

Ceramics & Glass

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By Andriani Maimaridou, MA Conservation Studies: Ceramics and Related Materials

The object is an Ethiopian incense burner which suffered from impact damage causing multiple fractures and detached sections. This presented an interesting challenge due to the unusually lightweight and porous body which required further research and analysis to identify suitable materials for the conservation treatment. Based on the choice of conservation materials, another challenge was to create a phased bonding plan to aid access during treatment.

 

Figure 1: Sepiolite incense burner before treatment
Figure 1: Sepiolite incense burner before treatment

Identifying the fabric

The object was incredibly lightweight. There was an indentation mark to the base and tool marks to the interior, suggesting the fabric was very soft and carved. Online research showed that traditionally in Ethiopia these types of censer are made of sepiolite, a hydrated magnesium silicate clay that is also called Meerschaum¹.

 

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    Figure 2: Toolmarks to the interior
    Figure 2: Toolmarks to the interior
    Figure 3: Indentation mark to the base
    Figure 3: Indentation mark to the base
    Figure 4: Meerschaum pipe
    Figure 4: Meerschaum pipe

    Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

    Fortunately, I had access to a Meerschaum pipe² (Fig.4) that enabled the extraction of a very small sample for analysis using the FTIR-ATR method to compare the two materials. On the transmittance spectrum below, both samples have the same peaks in the fingerprint region between 1500-650 cm–¹.

     

     

     

     

    Figure 5: The FTIR spectra comparing the incense burner sample (Blue) to the meerschaum sample (Red)
    Figure 5: The FTIR spectra comparing the incense burner sample (Blue) to the meerschaum sample (Red)

    Conservation Treatment

    Figure 6: During the bonding process with the top section resting on the main body
    Figure 6: During the bonding process with the top section resting on the main body

    Bonding in stages allowed better access to the top section for filling the bond lines and surface losses to the interior. Similarly the fills were retouched to the interior before bonding the two sections together using the same adhesive and tapes.

    To fill the losses, after careful tests, 30% acrylic resin in equal amounts of two solvents bulked with glass bubbles was used. This type of fill material was felt to be appropriate for such a soft fabric that would be sensitive to any moisture.

    It proved to be a really interesting project that allowed me to consider a material type that was new to me, use scientific analysis to confirm its composition and problem-solve issues of access while creating a successful bonding plan. 

     

    Figure 7: Top section bonded and filled
    Figure 7: Top section bonded and filled

    Bibliography

    ¹ CAMEO, (2019). Conservation and Art Materials Encyclopaedia Online, Sepiolite. http://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Sepiolite (15/5/20)

    ² Image ref: Vuckovic, J. (2010) An initial investigation into appropriate water-based adhesives for bonding meerschaum tobacco pipes. MA dissertation, West Dean College

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