Bemålad och förgylld vimpel av siden. En fallstudie med fokus på praktisk metodutveckling

Abstract

The aim of this study is to design and establish effective methods of conserving a part of a pennant from the early 1700s. The pennant is made out of a single sheet of silk, which is decorated on both sides with a mirror image of a double-headed eagle. The pennant was deformed, brittle and had several tears and holes in it. A literature review was conducted to find out how similar objects had been conserved in the past and the present. It was also used for collecting information about the objects cultural context and its materials. The pennant was examined with a light microscope and X-ray fluorescence analysis. Several tests were done to determine the best way to conserve the pennant. They included conservation materials, investigative cleaning and flattening of the object, as well as ways to implement. The object was flattened by use of a humidity chamber and a low-pressure table. Superficial cleaning was done with a makeup sponge and bound saliva. It was shown that Lascaux 303 HV in a 15% water solution, impregnated to a support layer out of silk crepeline was the most proper stabilizing treatment for this object. The support material was attached to one side of the pennant by supplying heat to reactivate the adhesive. The edges of the silk crepeline were sealed with melted polyester thread and then finished with a stitched fold. Exposed adhesive was covered by adding impregnated silk crepeline to the sticky side. It was concluded that the treatment methods applied in this study was overall successful but some adjustments regarding the way to apply the adhesive on to the support material should be considered.