Estudio de daños y alteraciones en el patrimonio ceroplástico del Museo Veterinario ComplutensePropuesta de cartografías digitales como medida de control para su conservación

Resumen

As one of the first phases of a research project (R & D project reference HAR2013-42460-P), the damages and alterations study of the wax pieces collection of the Complutense Veterinary Museum was carried out. The age of this heritage according to archival documentation ranging from early until the middle of 19th century. The inherent fragility of wax material, the natural aging of the three-dimensional artificial models original components, the continued manipulations, removals and changes of location at different historical moments, inadequate storage, the movements of the sculptures carried out by unqualified personnel, the incorporation of new techniques as didactic tools in university teaching, the lack of financial resources, to mention just a few of the factors, have contributed to the deterioration of the collection. This communication analyzes and describes the main damages found and lists a series of preventive guidelines. Different techniques of study and diagnosis employed have allowed us to make a classification of the alterations according to degradation agents and constructive typology of the sculptures. This damage has been mapped through the design and elaboration of digital cartographies. This method is considered to be very helpful since it makes possible to have complete visual information about the conservation status of each sculpture in order to evaluate the extent and evolution of the deterioration over time.