Abstract

This study was carried out to document and diagnose the conditions of the seated stone statue of Buddhist Master Seungga in Seunggasa temple immediately after its conservation treatment, which was found to be long covered in surface of white materials. The stone Halo was researched along with the Statue, and basic data was secured through precisely examination and nondestructive diagnosis. The result from the surface deterioration evaluation shows that both the Statue and Halo had a little bit of physical deterioration, although their level of chemical deterioration was proportionally higher due to discoloration. The physical property diagnosis using ultrasonic measurements on the Statue and Halo showed that the average ultrasonic velocity was found to be 3,570 m/s and 3,373 m/s, respectively, which corresponds to grade III, an indication of a favorable physical property. The surface covered materials were detected to be Ca, Ti, Pb, Fe, Al and Si, emanating from Hobun (Oster shell powder; CaCO₃) or lime (CaO·Ca(OH)₂) and silicate minerals. Furthermore, Ti and Pb seems to be the component of the white coloring pigments, titanium white (TiO₂) and white lead (2PbCO₂·Pb(OH)₂). Therefore, the seated stone statue of Buddhist Master Seungga is presumed to be painted with Hobun or lime and thereafter painted over with titanium white and white lead.

Keywords Buddhist Master Seungga, stone Halo, deterioration evaluation, ultrasonic velocity, white pigment