IDENTIFICATION:
Catalog number: CACH 1993
Object: Textile
Material: Cotton, Yucca
Accession number: CACH-00068
Treatment performed by: Ali Wysopal, conservation intern, under the supervision of Dana Senge, conservator
Exam Date: 05/14/2019
Treatment Report: 07/12/2019
Measurements: (a) L 23, W 20, D 0.01 cm, (b) L 28, W 19, D 0.01 cm, (c) L 18, W 18, D 0.01 cm, (d) L 13, W 9.5, D 0.01 cm, (e) L 7.5 W 3.5, D 0.01 cm, (f) L 7, W 6, D 0.01 cm, (g) L 6.5, W 4, D 0.01 cm, (h) L 7.5, W 3, D 0.01 cm, (i) L 6.5, W 3.5, D 0.01 cm
DESCRIPTION:
This catalog record represents eight small to large plain weave textile fragments and one large plain weave with intermittent areas of paired warp and single weft textile fragment. The pieces range in color from light beige to dark brown. They are all constructed using single ply, z-twist warp and weft cotton yarn. There is stitching made from 2s-plied z twist yucca yarn present on fragment H. There is an element of construction present in a corner of fragment C where a portion of folded textile is being held in place via a piece of fabric inserted through a hole in the textile.
Previous repairs noted: Elements of stitching may be part of the original construction or possible previous repairs.
CONDITION:
The textile fragments are ceased 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 unhemmed edges. Loose dirt and dust can be seen across the surfaces. Fragments C, D, E, and F have spots of what appears to be dark resinous, encrustation material along their edges.
PROPOSED TREATMENT:
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 rubber 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: 07/12/2019