Stabilization Of An Anatomical Wax Model Of The Complutense Veterinary Museum With The Help Of 3D Digital Technologies

Abstract

Between the 17th and 20th centuries, polychrome beeswax anatomical models played an important role in the transmission of anatomical knowledge thanks to the high degree of accuracy and realism they were able to achieve in the representation of the most delicate structures of the organism. However, due to the fragility of this material, some of these artefacts now survive in a rather precarious state of conservation. Due to the lack of consistency of some of the internal support structures, some of these figures have been damaged or their integrity has been seriously compromised. In this article we show a case of stabilisation using a polymethylmethacrylate support of a model from the Complutense Veterinary Museum, representing the head of a horse, which has suffered the loss of some parts and shows significant cracks and fractures due to the partial collapse of the internal metal framework. The methodology used was based essentially on the use of digital technologies, to minimise the handling of the work. Based on a virtual copy obtained by 3D scanning, a specific support that fits perfectly to the surface of the figure has been designed. Subsequently, some of the pieces were produced using 3D printing in order to subject them to functional and aesthetic tests and, finally, the support was manufactured using numerical control machining. The result meets the requirements of stability and minimum aesthetic impact.