Saving antiques from decay

CHENNAI: Do you have antiquities at home? Are you interested in learning simple techniques that would prevent your prized possessions from decay? Visit the special exhibition on the conservation of antiquities at the centenary exhibition hall, Chennai Museum. The expo opened on Thursday and would be held till July 5.It features a range of antiquities that were restored their original shapes through need-specific curative techniques. The restoration work was done by the trainees at the 37th Refresher course on care of museum objects held under the auspices of the Government Museum, Chennai and the National Mission for Manuscripts, New Delhi, which was held here for a month from June 1 to 30.The restored antique objects on display are wooden carvings depicting incidents from Hindu puranas like Kichakavadham, a carving of Urthavathandava Nataraja, Thirumangai Alwar and Sri Ramanuja, bronze sculptures, and iron measures. Oil and water colour paintings, palm leaf manuscripts and original litho prints of Ravi Varma paintings, like the popular Radha on the banks of the Yamuna, are also on display, besides bone and ivory decorative boxes and copper coins.Asked what a common man could learn from the expo, J M Gandhimathi, Curator, Chemical Conservation Section and coordinator of the Manuscript conservation centre in the Museum, said that people could learn about simple techniques to prevent antiquities from decay. The collection may not be high value sculptures, it could  be even a century old book or photograph. “We can teach them techniques to preserve them in their original condition.” The museum expo is open from 10am to 4.30pm. For information call, 2819323)