Scientific Conservation of Wooden Altars of Goa Churches – A Case Study

Abstract

The wooden altars of Se Cathedral Church and Bom Jesus Church were having multiple conservation problems. The scientific conservation of the polychromy wooden altarpieces was successfully carried out. The accretions were cleaned with cotton absorbent using the mixture ethanol, iso-propyl alcohol with few drops of distilled water with non-ionic detergent. The wooden altars were also found damaged in some portions and the same were consolidated and the mending works in some places were also attended. The wooden altars around the St. Francis relics were severely affected by dry termite especially at lower parts that has almost been eaten away by termites. In many portions in the lower levels of altars there are holes, lacunas; cracks are noticed by the result of termites. The consolidation of wooden altars had already been carried out as follows. First, the entire wooden altar especially the damaged portions are being injected with „Termiseal‟ and then the lacunas were being filled with the mixture of saw dust, wood putty, Araldite carpenter. Then the portions were matched with the surrounding colours. The anti-termite treatment of all the church complexes was also carried out in the step of preventive conservation. The environmental parameters were also studied and some precautionary measures to prevent the deterioration of wooden fabric by the relative humidity have also been recommended. Now, the wooden altarpieces are in good state of preservation.

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