Alexandra Streich

Following a discussion of the ethical principles guiding the restoration of losses, this thesis examines materials and techniques employed in the retouching of ceramic objects, with an emphasis on European practices and comparative references to Southeast Asian approaches. It then introduces the tile copy of the ancient Alexander mosaic from Pompeii housed in the Roman Baths of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation in Potsdam. Drawing on previous scientific studies, the research identifies key factors contributing to the deterioration of the “Battle of Alexander” tile mosaic and analyses the associated damage phenomena as well as past conservation measures. The study concludes with an evaluation of five retouching techniques tested on sample tiles to assess their suitability for application to the mosaic.