thewood cylinders was placed in the same direction to match each matrix
section. The cylinders were glued to the matrix section with hot protein
glue.^19 Aplastic collar was glued around the cones with Araldite to prevent
the wood from splitting, because the supports were attached to the cylin-
ders by screws (Figs. 5, 6, and 9).
Cottonwood (Populusspp.) was selected for the new support pan-
els, to match as closely as possible the original Italian black poplar and its
properties. The wood was purchased air-dried in Louisiana and stored in
the conservation studio for two years prior to its use. The new boards,
which were mostly sawed in semiquarter direction, were abutted to
approximate as closely as possible the width of the original boards. The
fronts of all newboards were meticulously shaped to match any irregulari-
ties of the matrix section backs. This ensured that the matrix sections had
level surfaces once the new supports had been installed (Figs. 10, 11).
One board in panel 9–10 top had to be removed from the support
because it was too deteriorated to provide adequate structural strength for
the intarsia panel (Figs. 12, 13). X radiographs confirmed extensive wood-
worm tunnels that former restorers had filled with stucco, a plasterlike
material (Fig. 14). The board was removed, as much as possible in one
piece, so it could be kept and stored separately from the studiolo. The
remaining nails^20 attaching the matrix to the support were straightened,
and the entire board was lifted from the matrix sections. Two pieces of
cottonwood, cut to the size of the old board, were glued together to make
a new board. The old nails were reused—but not in the traditional man-
ner, which might have broken them. They were cut with a thread so that
they could be fastened with a washer and nut through the new board.
Where necessary, additional round sections ofwood were glued to the
matrix sections, in close proximity to the old nails, to ensure that there
were ample areas of attachment. The new board provided enough strength488 Wilmering
Figure 9
Reverse of panel 8 top. The separate matrix
sections are clearly visible. Remaining nail
stubs have been threaded, and wooden
cylinders, with their collars, have been put
into place.
Figure 10
Reverse of panel 8 top. The new boards have
been attached with a combination ofattach-
ment systems (d and e—see Fig. 5).
Figure 11
Proper front side of the newsupport ofpanel
8 top. This side of the support has been
shaped to accommodate irregularities in the
matrix sections, thus ensuring that the front
of the panel (matrix and inlay) produces a
level surface.