J.IIC-CG VOLUME 4 (1978)
Conservation of an Eighteenth Century Polychrome Relief: A Royal Coat of Arms of France
The conservation and restoration of a polychrome eighteenth century coat of arms are described. Cross-sectional examination of the paint layers was not sufficient to establish the original paint layer. Research into the historical background of the shield led to the recognition of a great similarity to another well documented piece in the Musée du Québec. In this way, it was established that the shield was most probably the Coat of Arms of France which had been commissioned for one of the gates of the city of Quebec in 1725. The history of the shield since that time has been traced. A knowledge of the colours used in heraldic symbolism at that time, combined with information from cross-sectional examination and analysis of paint layers, was used in establishing the original colour scheme. The condition of both the structure of the shield and the paint layers is described, as well as the conservation and restoration treatment that was carried out.
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