Conservation & Restoration
Conservation of the Chinese Stone Lion began in 2022. The Lion was transported to Williamstown Art Conservation Center in Williamstown, MA. There, art conservators removed hundreds of layers of paint and stabilized the materials for display.
A close up view of multiple paint layers:
A cross-section shows layers of paint on the Chinese stone lion
The process of removing paint layers:
The first phase of treatment involved discussions about how to carefully remove the statue from its cement base previously located between the football feild and Frank Messa Rink.
Once the statue was removed and transported to Williamstown Art Conservation Center, the outer layers of paint were removed using, at first, a hot air gun and cutting tools.
Scott Cober, associate conservator at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center, removes layers of paint from the Chinese stone lion on Dec. 1, 2022. (photo credit: Paul Bukowski)
The final layers of paint:
As the outer layers were diminished, and the conservators got closer to the marble of the statue, they switched to using a plastic scraper and paint stripper. The final layers were then painstakingly removed using an acetone poultice and gradually softer tools, to avoid damaging the marble surface and the finely incised, carved details hidden beneath.
Kate Breitenstein, Intern to Helene Gillette-Woodard, former Head of Objects Department, at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center, Dec. 14, 2023 (photo credit: WACC)
Conservation Complete:
Restoration of the lion in June 2024 after paint was removed.
Final Restoration Result:
Click on the boxes to learn more details about the areas on the restored Chinese Stone Lion:
A Return to Campus:
In March 2026, the restored Lion returned to Union's campus. It was placed on the ground floor lobby connecting the Peter Irving Wold Center and F.W. Olin Center. The lion faces northeast and is enclosed in a glass case.