A Case Study in the Use of Cyclododecane and Latex Rubber in the Molding of Marble

Abstract

The authenticity of a Roman marble bust of a pugilist was questioned on technical grounds because of inconsistencies in carving. Tool markings suggested the head had been joined to the torso either as an ancient reuse or a modern pastiche. But translucency and variation in the marble coloration made tool markings difficult to interpret. A plaster cast of the original, however, with its uniform white and opaque surface might make these markings more visible. Materials selected for the molding process must not stain the marble, and no unbound, modern pigment should be retained on the marble. At the same time, no isolating barriers could be applied, as the surface rendering of the cast had to be of sufficient clarity to preserve fine details. In addition, the mold should not remove loosely bound material. This article describes the process of selecting materials that could work within these constraints. Latex rubber, a molding material used for the past century, was employed in conjunction with cyclodo-decane to meet these criteria.

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