Cultural History
Having been brough to the university as a personal collection object, the personal value to the owner is immensely significant. The hand embroidered map of 1864 Europe, within the frame, was crafted by the owner’s own grandmother at age 13. 5 years later, the textile was framed and backed by a large section of newspaper detailing the shipping routes across the world.
Condition Before Treatment
Textile
Significant fading of the backing textile can be seen alongside obvious deposits of dirt concentrated near the border of the textile. The textile has also had a lot of stress put-on it over the 150 years it has been in the frame. Warping of the textile can be seen to altering the original shape of the map.
Backing
Dirt deposits cover the backing of the frame embedded in the newspaper, area of loss of newspaper reveal textile insert that the newspaper was adhered too. Multiple rips span the area of the backing where the newspaper has become brittle and easily torn.
Treatment
Removing backing
Removal of back was completed by first identifying adhesive. The only treatment to soften the adhesive was too apply high temperature humidity and mechanically separate the newspaper from the wooden frame using a scalpel. This was removed to access the textile within for further treatment.
Textile
Once the textile had been removed, solubility tests showed that the embroidery thread was not suitable for wet cleaning. Draft cleaner was applied to surface and adjugated with a small, firm paint brush. Draft cleaner was allowed to sit for 10 minutes before being adjugated again and finally removed with low pressure suction.
Backing
Once removed, newspaper and attached textile was assessed individually for damage. Adhesive was removed from the textile backing with a tacking iron set to 70o C to reactivate the adhesive and mechanically scraped off. Backing was again cleaned with draft cleaner to make sure removal of dust for a smooth application of new backing.
Newspaper
Treatment still in progress but intentions include removing any surface dirt with a soft sponge. Once clean, the tears can be repaired using colour matched Japanese tissue paper adding support. Once this is finished, the textile can be reinserted into the frame with newspaper being re adhered with a new backing support of silk crepeline.
Reflection By The Conservator
Throughout this process, treatment has sparked an interest in me of the conservation of newspaper. When conducting reasurch for my treatments I found it hard to find information of this specific type of paper. Treatment has peaked an interest in objects that were once produced to only be used for a short period of time before being discarded and how, as conservators, you approach this within treatment.
This object was treated by Heather, click on her profile to learn more about her.