IDENTIFICATION:
Catalog number: CACH 18279
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 60.1, W 19.5, D 0.01 cm, (b) L 43.5, W 7.9, D 0.01 cm, (c) L 13.9, W 13.5 D 0.01 cm, (d) L 22, W 11.6, D 0.01 cm, (e) L 25.5, W 6.3, D 0.01 cm, (f) L 15.5, W 4.5, D 0.01 cm, (g) L 12, W 8, D 0.01 cm, (h) L 9.4, W 8.5, D 0.01 cm, (i) L 6.5, W 2.7, D 0.01 cm
DESCRIPTION:
This catalog number represents nine plain weave textile fragments, ranging in color from light beige to medium brown. They are all constructed using single ply, z-twist warp and weft cotton yarn. There is a selvage present on fragment B. Additional areas of construction or mending using 2s-plied yarn can be seen on fragments E and F.
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 and spots of tougher encrustations. There is a point of delicate connection in fragment H 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: 07/25/2019