IDENTIFICATION:
Catalog number: CACH 18278
Object: Textile
Material: Cotton
Accession number: CACH-00068
Treatment performed by: Ali Wysopal, conservation technician, under the supervision of Dana Senge, conservator
Exam Date: 06/05/2019
Treatment Report: 07/25/2019
Measurements: (a) L 25, W 17.5, D 0.01 cm, (b) L 22.5, W 7.5, D 0.01 cm, (c) L 22, W 5.5, D 0.01 cm, (d) L 17, W 9, D 0.01 cm, (e) L 17, W 5.7, D 0.01 cm, (f) L 15, W 8.5, D 0.01 cm, (g) L 18, W 4.5, D 0.01 cm
DESCRIPTION:
This catalog number represents seven plain weave textile fragments, ranging in color from beige to brown. They are all constructed using single ply, z-twist warp and weft cotton yarn. There are selvages present on fragments B, C, and D. Additional areas of construction or mending can be seen on fragments D and E. All stitching was done using 2s-plied yarn. There is a change in the weave pattern from plain to an area of twill weaving using dark brown yarn in Fragment B.
Previous repairs noted: Elements of the stitching and change in weaving structure may be part of the original construction or possible previous repairs.
CONDITION:
The textile fragments are creased and misaligned with portions of the frayed yarn now matted. Losses to the warps and wefts can be seen throughout, and woven elements are loose along edges without selvages. Loose dirt and dust can be seen across the surfaces along with differing degrees of discoloration. There is a point of delicate connection in fragment G requiring caution when handling.
Treatment Procedure:
1. Reduced loose dirt and dust from textile by vacuuming with a variable suction vacuum through a nylon screen. Larger debris was mechanically removed with tweezers.
2. Further reduced remaining soiling by tamping with a vulcanized soot sponge, followed by vacuuming.
3. Humidified textiles in packages between Reemay, Gore-tex, dampened blotters, and Mylar, then untangled and properly aligned loose woven elements. Textile was weighted between dry blotters during drying to hold loose fibers in place and improve the alignment.
4. Created a new window mat storage mount with muslin lined backing board.
5. Attached a photo of the fragment to the back of the muslin mount.
Date of completion of treatment: 07/24/2019