AR.GOT
ceramics workshop

 Along the whole of 1998, we devoted ourselves to collect information on the Portico and its restoration works. The book published by D. JOSE NAVARRO TALEGON (Government Delegate for National Heritage) was of great help to us as well as the pictures supplied by him and by D. YEYO GALLEGO. We take special care in the reproduction of each instrument, aware as we are of their historical value as ancestors, already disappeared in many cases, of the actual instruments; at this respect, we have to mention the invaluable assistance of D. Luis Delgado Delgado, musician and composer.

 From the information gathered, the first three originals were shaped: Harp, Psaltery and Citole, from which casts were obtained to make further reproductions in stoneware, a material that was chosen because of its ideal ceramic and esthetical characteristics. The finish was investigated in parallel: high-temperature engobes, different pigments and methods of application.

 Once the sculpture is removed from its mould, it is given its final shape. All the small details on hands, face, instrument are scrupulously redefined

 When the sculpture is completely dry, it is carefully sanded down to make it look like stone, as the original carvings.

 Then, the whole polychromy of each musician is painted using from 7 to 9 different ceramic colours (specially developed by ourselves for this particular work). Upon completion, part of those colours are removed, so that the final musician shows the worn away colours time has given to the original sculptures. Finally, the sculpture is fired at a temperature of 1250ºC in oxidation.