Historical artefacts from former Orthodox church in Odrzechowa in the context of conservation research

Abstract

Purpose of research. The purpose of the research of historic artefacts found in 2015 in
the attic of the former Birth of St. John the Baptist orthodox church (1812) was to determine
their provenance, as well as dating the technique and technology of individual objects. The
research was carried out as part of the "Conservation project for the historic equipment of
the former orthodox church in Odrzechowa" financed by Ministry of Culture and National
Heritage scholarship.
Methodology. Physical and chemical research was carried out on samples taken
from selected historic objects in order to determine their technological structure, as well
as the identification of pigments and adhesives. Detailed measurements and investigation
of the collection were also carried out. An important part of the research was the
stylistic comparative analysis of the most valuable objects as well as the archival query.
The results. Thanks to the research, it was possible to determine the dating of the two
most valuable objects: a side altar from the 18th century and a wooden processional cross
from the turn of the 18th-19th century. In addition, the appearance of two important artefacts
were reconstructed: the iconostasis from the end of the 19th century and the Cyborium. A rich
documentation of the collection was created, containing a summary of physical and chemical
research, description, state of preservation, as well as proposed conservation program.

Conclusions. On the basis of the information collected and the analysis of individual
equipment items, it was possible to select the most valuable ones and to protect them by
entering them in the register of monuments. In addition, based on the documentation, a
project of re-arrangement of the interior of the temple was prepared, which will be the basis
for restoration of its historic values.