Peles e cabedais no património cultural: tecnologias, conservação e restauro

Taxidermy by Hasluck (1901)

2008-05-11T11:40:00.001+01:00

Hasluck, P.; Taxidermy: comprising the skinning, stuffing, and mounting of birds, mammals, and fish, Cassell, London & New York (1901)

Table of contents:
I. Skinning Birds
II. Stuffing and Mounting Birds
III. Skinning and Stuffing Mammals
IV. Animals' Horned Heads : Polishing and Mounting Horns
V. Skinning, Stuffing, and Casting Fish
VI. Preserving, Cleaning, and Dyeing Skins
VII. Preserving Insects and Birds' Eggs
VIII. Cases for Stuffed Specimens

On Canadian Ground, stories of footwear: virtual exhibit (2005)

2008-05-07T13:52:00.002+01:00

Stories of Canadian footwear include important contributions from Canada’s Aboriginal peoples who have lived here for thousands of years, and from those who came from Europe and the American colonies over the past four hundred years to make Canada their home.
This exhibit shows approaches to footwear by both aboriginal and immigrant populations as hand-made products by skilled individuals, and it explores how they affected each other. It tells how fully hand-made methods of making footwear gradually changed to a mostly mechanized one by the time of the First World War for most of us in Canada although the indigenous groups, particularly the Inuit, still make footwear using traditional methods.
(excerpt text from the website)

"El Museu de l'Art de la Pell, Vic" por Andrés (2004)

2008-05-02T21:50:00.004+01:00

Andrés, Félix de la Fuente; “El Museu de l’Art de la Pell: Collección Andreu Colomer Munmany (Vic)”, Ausa, vol. 21, n.º 153 (2004) 323-346

Fruit de la transformació d’una collecció privada en un museu de titularitat pública, el Museu de l’Art de la Pell de Vic resulta un museu atípic. Amb la perspectiva dels vuit anys de vida del museu des de la seva creació, l’estudi analitza el projecte museològic i la seva aplicació en l’àmbit local com a «museu de doble via», el projecte museogràfic i la definició dels espais, l’estructura funcional i la planificació d’activitats. Per acabar, s’estableixen possibles línies de treball per al futur.

Abstract: The product of the transformation of a private collection into a publicly owned museum, the Museu de l’Art de la Pell deVic has emerged as a highly atypical institution. From the perspective of its eight years as a public museum, this study analyses the museological project and its application on the local level as a “two-way museum”, the museographic project and the definition of the areas, the functional structure and planning for activities. Finally, it suggests possible approaches for the future.

The Dogrib Caribou Skin Lodge Project (1999-2000)

2008-04-28T19:10:00.005+01:00

For centuries, caribou skin lodges were the most common form of habitation for the Dogrib - aboriginal people from the Northwest Territories of Canada also known as Tlicho. At the beginning of the 20th century, hundreds of these lodges were in everyday use, but when canvas tents became a common trade item in the 1920s the caribou skin lodges quickly disappeared.

In 1998 a project between the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, the Dogrib Community Services Board and the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council joined forces to replicate two caribou skin lodges using traditional means. This project was documented on video and a few video clips are available online.

Making a lodge was a long and difficult task, involving several steps and requiring many caribou hides - caribou is a wild reindeer in North America (Rangifer tarandus sp). Many of the 75 caribou skins needed for the project were collected during the 1999 barrenlands caribou hunt, and seven Dogrib women from the community of Rae, on the North Arm of Great Slave Lake, were appointed to tan the hides and sew and decorate the lodges. Seams were sewn with caribou sinew, and the completed lodges were sealed and decorated with red ochre paint, made from red ochre collected from a site near Rae. Young people were involved throughout the construction process, as traditional skills were passed along to the next generation.

"The Dogrib Caribou Skin Lodge Project" Online Exhibition
http://www.pwnhc.ca/exhibits/lodge/index.html

"Reliability of x-ray fluorescence for the quantitative analysis of arsenic in contaminated leather" by Bond (2007)

2008-04-21T01:57:00.002+01:00

Bond, K.; "Reliability of x-ray fluorescence for the quantitative analysis of arsenic in contaminated leather", The ethnographic conservation newsletter of the Working Group on Ethnographic Materials of the ICOM Committee for Conservation no. 28 (2007) 9-10

Introduction: The following is a summary of research undertaken for the Master of Art Conservation program at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario, Canada in 2005. The research came about with the increasing concern over the presence of toxic components in pesticides, such as arsenic, that have been used in the past to treat ethnographic materials. The exact chemicals, amount, method of application and frequency used, is not always known. The intimate contact that museum staff and, increasingly, Native groups have with these artifacts, has led to concerns of the health and safety effects of exposure to pesticide residues. An effective method of quantitative analysis is necessary to evaluate the correct amount of arsenic actually present on cultural objects and, through this, the implications of handling contaminated artifacts.

AATA Abstract: Investigates the reliability of x-ray fluorescence (XRF) for the quantitative analysis of arsenic on ethnographic leather. Known quantities of three arsenic solutions, prepared according to historical recipes, were applied to buckskin and rawhide. These samples were analyzed with the Innov-X Systems Portable XRF Environmental Metals Analyzer in soil analysis mode, and the results were compared to analysis by the TJA Solutions VG PQ ExCell Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results of the XRF analysis were consistently higher than the ICP-MS results, but displayed a strong linear relationship that can reliably be used to calculate approximate quantitative measurements.

"The Vinland Map: a critical review of archaeometric research on its authenticity" by Harbottle (2008)

2008-04-14T17:40:00.001+01:00

Harbottle, G.; “The Vinland Map: a critical review of archaeometric research on its authenticity”, Archaeometry 50 (1) (2008) 177–189
doi:10.1111/j.1475-4754.2007.00378

Abstract:
The authenticity of the ‘Vinland Map’ (Beinecke Library of Rare Books and Manuscripts at Yale University) has been challenged on both codicological and scientific grounds, the latter resulting from a microscopic study of the ink employed. McCrone Associates of Chicago examined, between 1972 and 1974, a total of 29 microparticles, including 16 of ink from the Vinland Map, and in 1974 reported to Yale that it contained a pigment, anatase, only available after 1920. In 1974, Yale announced that the map was ‘probably a modern forgery’. This review critically examines archaeometric research leading to, and testing, this conclusion.

The Vinland Map

2008-04-14T10:14:00.017+01:00

The Vinland Map is a world map on 27.8 x 40 cm parchment folded in two leaves. Housed in Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the map shows Europe (including Scandinavia), Northern Africa, Asia and the Far East. In the northwest Atlantic Ocean, however, it also shows the “Island of Vinland,” which has been taken to represent an unknown part of present-day Labrador, Newfoundland, or Baffin Island. Remarkably, the map describes this region as having been visited in the 11th century.

The Vinland Map purports to be a 15th century world map depicting Viking exploration of North America centuries before Columbus. If genuine, the Vinland map is one of the great documents of Western civilization; if fake, it is an astonishingly clever forgery.

The map in question... Is it authentic?

Explore evidence in chemistry, cartography, pigments/inks, archaeology on the following websites and make your own determination.

Analyzing the Vinland Map: is it a fake?

http://webexhibits.org/vinland/index.html

Examine the entire map and decide for yourself.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vinland/map-flash.html

Report on the assessment and survey condition and the technique of the Vinland Map by Larsen et al (2005)

2008-04-14T09:50:00.003+01:00

Larsen, R., Poulsen, D. V., and Vest, M.; Report on the assessment and survey of the condition and technique of the Vinland Map and the bindings of the Tartar Relation and Speculum historiale, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Conservation, Copenhagen (2005)

Abstract:
This paper reports on the result of the assessment of the state of condition of the Vinland Map (VM). The damage assessment was based on visual and simple nondestructive methods observing characteristics at the macroscopic and microscopic level mainly relating to the surface of the parchment including the ink. Additional damage assessment was performed on selected parchment sheets bound in the Tartar Relation (TR) and the Speculum Historiale (SH). The bindings of the TR and the SH were subjected to a technical examination of the book structure and a simple nondestructive damage assessment of the leather. The condition of the parchment and ink of the VM, SH and TR as well as the book bindings are reported and recommendations and precautions for their future storage and treatment presented. Moreover, the authenticity of the VM, dating of the rebinding of the SH and TR as wll as the relations between the three objects are discussed on the basis of our observations and our recommendations for future studies are presented.

This report was published on Zeitschrift für Kunsttechnologie und Konservierung:
Larsen, R.; Poulsen, D. V.; Vest, M.; “Assessment and survey of the Vinland Map and the Tartar Relation and Speculum Historiale”, Zeitschrift für Kunsttechnologie und Konservierung 20 (2) (2006) 249-260

IDAP Project Report by Larsen (2007)

2008-04-09T23:25:00.008+01:00

Larsen, René (ed.), Improved damage assessment of parchment, IDAP: assessment, data collection and sharing of knowledge, Research Report n.º18, European Commission, Directorate-General for Research, Brussels (2007)

Table of contents:

Improved Damage Assessment of parchment
The IDAP Website- Data collection and sharing of knowledge
Introduction to damage and damage assessment of parchment
Parchment during the process of manufacture
Typology of the damage of the parchment in manuscripts of the codex form
Characterisation of microbial parchment damage based on the assessment of microbiologically accelerated aged parchment
The parchment damage assessment programme (PDAP)
Visual damage assessment
A model for an early warning system (EWS) based on parchment sensors
Effects of two pollutants (SO₂ and NO₂) on parchment by analysis at the molecular level using mass spectrometry and other techniques
Accelerated ageing: effect of heat and relative humidity
Damage of parchment fibres on the microscopic level detected by micro hot table (MHT) method
Thermoanalytical (macro to nano-scale) techniques and non-invasive spectroscopic analysis for damage assessment of parchment
Structural and thermal stability of collagen within parchment: a mesoscopic and molecular approach
Damage to parchment collagen measured by structural and biochemical analysis
Structural damage of parchment at the molecular level assessed by raman spectroscopy
Molecular damage of parchment studied by amino acid analysis
Introduction to statistical analysis of IDAP data, using principal component analysis and discriminant analysis

Publication details:
The IDAP project was funded by the European Commission under the fifth framework programme. The main reason for establishing the project is the great need for protection of the large collections of parchment which are recognised as being among the most valuable objects of our cultural heritage. This report is devoted to a presentation of the project background, aims, goals and research strategy. It includes a description of the IDAP website, data collection and sharing of knowledge, the IDAP network for professional users in research and conservation of parchment, and the plans for activities and development in the future. The report also presents an introduction to damage assessment of parchment, parchment during the process of manufacture, typology of damage of the parchment in codex form, characterisation of microbial damage and a basic introduction to the IDAP damage assessment strategy, the damage assessment programme and the results of visual damage assessment as well as a discussion on the principles and problems of diagnosis, damage assessment and experiments specifically for parchment, and a description of a model early warning system. The results of accelerated ageing experiments as tools in the study of deterioration and deteriorative factors are presented. Moreover, the results of the work of the study of damage to parchment at the microscopic to the molecular levels, using various complementary advanced analytical microscopical, chemical, physical and thermochemical techniques, are presented with suggestions for statistical analysis of the data. All the mentioned results and systems developed in the project are available on the Internet, enabling the contributors to the IDAP network to improve communication and dissemination of expertise and knowledge within conservation in the European Community and worldwide.

More about IDAP Project on

http://www.idap-parchment.dk/portal/DesktopDefault.aspx

"Optical Coherence Tomography for Examination of Parchment Degradation" by Góra et al (2006)

2008-04-04T15:29:00.006+01:00

Góra, M.; Pircher, M.; Götzinger, E.; Bajraszewaki, T.; Strlic, M.; Kolar, J.; Hitzenberger, C.; Targowsli, P.; “Optical Coherence Tomography for Examination of Parchment Degradation,” Laser Chemistry, vol. 2006, Article ID 68679, 6 pages (2006) doi:10.1155/2006/68679

Abstract:

A novel application of Optical Coherence Tomography utilizing infrared light of 830 nm central wavelength for non invasive examination of the structure of parchment, some covered with iron gall ink, is presented. It is shown that both the parchment and the ink applied are sufficiently transparent to light of this wavelength. In the study, Spectral OCT (SOCT) as well as Polarisation Sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) techniques were used to obtain cross-sectional images of samples of parchment based on scattering properties. The second technique was additionally employed to recover the birefringence properties and the optical axis orientations of the sample. It was shown that freshly produced parchment exhibits a degree of birefringence. However, this property declines with ageing, and samples of old parchment completely depolarise the incident light.

Harness repairing by Roehl (1921)

2008-03-26T20:08:00.002Z

Roehl, L.M.; Harness repairing, The Bruce publishing company, Milwaukee (1921)

Table of contents:

Harness Repairing
Making a Harness Thread
Making a Stitched Splice
Attaching a Buckle with a Conway Loop
Attaching a Buckle with Rivets and the Riveting Machine
Replacing a Hame Clip on a Tug
Repairing a Trace or Trace and Tug with Hame Clips and Link
Replacing a Broken Hame Staple
Use of Buckle Shields
Repairing the End of a Trace with a Wrot Concord Clip
Attaching Heel Chain to Trace with a Hame Clip
Repairing a Trace and Tug with a Trace Square and Two Wrot Concord Clips’
Splicing a Trace with a Trace Splicer or a Metal Plate
Repairing Bottom End of Hame
Harness Stitching Clamp to be Used with Metal Vise on Workbench
Harness Stitching Clamp to be Used with Farm Shop Workbench Vise
Stitching Clamp and Farm Workbench
Farm Shop Workbench
Stitching Horse
Saw Horse Stitching Clamp
Cleaning and Oiling a Harness
Harness Repair Tools and Harness Repair Parts

Furs and fur garments by Davey (1895)

2008-03-20T19:06:00.004Z

Davey, R.; Furs and fur garments, The International Fur Store and The Roxburgh Press, London (1895)

Fur dressing and fur dyeing by Austin (1922)

2008-03-20T18:57:00.013Z

Austin, W. E.; Principles and practice of fur dressing and fur dyeing, D. van Nostrand Company, New York (1922)

Table of contents:

1. Furs and their characteristics
2. Structure of fur
3. Fur dressing: introductory and historical
4. Fur dressing: preliminary operations
5. Fur dressing. tanning methods
6. Fur dressing: drying and finish
7. Water in fur dressing and dyeing
8. Fur dyeing: introductory and historical
9. Fur dyeing: general methods
10. Fur dyeing: killing the furs
11. Fur dyeing: mordants
12. Fur dyeing: mineral colors used on furs
13. Fur dyeing: vegetable dyes
14. Fur dyeing: aniline black
15. Fur dyeing: oxidation colors
16. Fur dyeing: coal tar dyes
17. Bleaching of furs

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (2000-2008)

2008-03-16T23:37:00.009Z

In the last 8 years, the Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry published a few papers related to leather and parchment conservation science. The titles are as follows:

2000
Volume 59, Numbers 1-2/ January
M. Odlyha, G. M. Foster, N. S. Cohen and R. Larsen;
“Characterisation of Leather Samples by Non-invasive Dielectric and Thermomechanical Techniques”, pp.587-600
DOI: 10.1023/A:1010170331222

Abstract: A description is given how the dielectric coaxial technique measuring in the microwave region has been used for monitoring drying processes in leather samples. It is also shown how the coupling of this technique together with dynamic mechanical analysis enables the simultaneous recording of changes in the dielectric properties, related to the moisture content of the material, together with the mechanical properties as a function of time or temperature. The samples studied include unaged and artificially aged goat and calf leathers. Measurements using the dynamic mechanical analyser are presented over a range of temperature which includes the shrinkage temperature. During the drying process, values of mechanical modulus or displacement and dielectric permittivity are recorded as a function of time or temperature which includes the temperature range of leather shrinkage, and from previous research report of Larsen this has been associated with the chemical state of the leather samples.

2003
Volume 71, Number 3/ March
M. Odlyha, N. S. Cohen, G. M. Foster, A. Aliev, E. Verdonck and D. Grandy;
“Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), ¹³C solid state nmr and micro-thermomechanical studies of historical parchment”, pp.939-951
DOI: 10.1023/A:1023346814391

Abstract: DMA and solid state ¹³C NMR techniques were used to measure historical parchment samples within the framework of the project (MAP) Micro Analysis of Parchment (EC contract No. SMT4-96-2101) in collaboration with the School of Conservation in Copenhagen. DMA was used in both thermal scan and creep modes. Thermal scans provided information on the transitions associated with the collagen polymer. Microthermal analysis was also used to obtain information on the topography and thermal conductivity of sample areas of 100 μm. Localised heating enabled measurements of softening transitions in the sample. This behaviour is influenced by the chemical composition of parchment. ¹³C NMR provided information on the carbon atoms associated with the polypeptide chains of the collagen in parchment. The behaviour of samples immersed in water and measured in DMA creep mode was used to measure the shrinkage behaviour of the parchment samples. The different but complementary techniques provided a means for characterising the physicochemical state of parchment samples.

2004
Volume 77, Number 3 / September
P. Budrugeac, L. Miu, C. Popescu and F.-J. Wortmann;
“Identification of collagen-based materials that are supports of cultural and historical objects”, pp.975-985
DOI: 10.1023/B:JTAN.0000041673.37722.d6

Abstract: The TG, DTG, DTA methods were used for investigation of the thermal degradation in static air atmosphere of some collagen-based materials (some sorts of collagen, recent manufactured parchments and tanned leathers, patrimonial (historical) leathers). At the progressive heating, all investigated materials exhibit two main successive processes, associated with the dehydration and thermo-oxidative degradation. The patrimonial leathers were divided in two groups, namely: a group containing the majority of the analyzed materials, for which the rates of the thermo-oxidation process are substantially lower than those corresponding to the recent manufactured leathers, and a group for which the rates of thermo-oxidation process are closed to those corresponding to the recent manufactured leathers. Consequently, if by the thermal analysis in air atmosphere of a leather sample, a value of the rate of the thermo-oxidation process smaller than that corresponding to the recent manufactured leathers is obtained, then the analyzed leather is a patrimonial one. The reciprocal statement of this qualitative criterion for distinction between recent manufactured leather and patrimonial leather is not valid. The DSC analyses of collagen-based materials were performed in air (DSC (air)) and in water (DSC(water)). The denaturation process takes place at lower temperatures in water than in air. Unlike recent manufactured leathers and parchments, each patrimonial leather exhibits on DSC (water) plot 2-4 peaks. Consequently, the number of peaks from DSC (water) curve could be another qualitative criterion for distinction between a recently manufactured leather and a patrimonial leather.

2005
Volume 82, Number 3 / November
G. Della Gatta, E. Badea, R. Ceccarelli, T. Usacheva, A. Mašic and S. Coluccia;
“Assessment of damage in old parchments by DSC and SEM”, pp. 637-649
DOI: 10.1007/s10973-005-0944-7

Summary: Environmental impact on parchment was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Parchments subjected to accelerated ageing and old parchments were compared to evaluate quality and extent of deterioration. Stability of fibrillar collagen within parchment was determined from the changes in thermodynamic parameters associated with thermal denaturation. Parchment surface was characterised, and specific morphological criteria were selected for damage assessment. The thermodynamic and morphological changes of collagen induced by deterioration are discussed, and their correlations are proposed as a means of ranking damage in old parchments.

2006
Volume 85, Number 1 / July
B. Roduit and M. Odlyha
“Prediction of thermal stability of fresh and aged parchment”, pp.157-164
DOI: 10.1007/s10973-005-7410-4

Abstract: The hyphenated thermal analysis-mass spectrometry technique (TA-MS) was applied for the investigation of the thermal behaviour of reference and aged parchment samples. The kinetic parameters of the process were calculated independently from all recorded TA and MS signals. The kinetic analysis showed the distinct dependence of the activation energy on the reaction progress. Such behaviour is characteristic for the multistage mechanism of the reaction.
The comparison of the kinetic parameters calculated from the different signals i.e. TG, DSC, MS for H₂O, NO and CO₂, however, indicated that they were differently dependent on the aging of the sample. For the parchment samples, the aging almost does not change the kinetics of the decomposition calculated from the DSC data: the influence of aging seems to be too negligible to be detected by these techniques. On the other hand, the much more sensitive mass spectrometric technique applied to the kinetic analysis allowed monitoring of visible changes in the thermal behaviour of the parchment samples due to the aging process. The influence of aging was especially visible when the MS signals of water and nitric oxide were applied for the determination of the kinetic parameters.
The applied method of the kinetic analysis allowed also the prediction of the thermal behaviour of reference and aged parchment samples under isothermal and modulated temperature conditions. Presented results have confirmed the usefulness of thermo analytical methods for investigating behaviour of such complicated systems as leather or parchment.

2007
Volume 88, Number 3 / June
P. Budrugeac, L. Miuand M. Souckova;
“The damage in the patrimonial books from Romanian libraries”, pp.693-698
DOI: 10.1007/s10973-006-8085-1

Abstract: The thermal analysis methods (TG, DTG, DSC, methods for shrinkage temperature evaluation) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for investigation of the thermal behaviour and surface morphology of some recent manufactured parchments and vegetable tanned leathers, patrimonial parchments and leathers proceeded from Romanian libraries. At the progressive heating in static air atmosphere and in the temperature range of 20–600°C, all investigated materials exhibit three main successive processes, associated with the dehydration and thermo-oxidative degradations.
The rate of the first thermo oxidative process, temperatures corresponding to the maximum rate of the second thermooxidative process and shrinkage temperature were associated with the damage of the investigated materials due to environmental impact. Parchments and leathers surfaces were characterized by SEM, and specific morphological criteria were suggested for damage assessments. These criteria were correlated with the results obtained by thermal analysis methods.

2008
Volume 91, Number 1 / January
E. Badea, L. Miu, P. Budrugeac, M. Giurginca, A. Mašić, N. Badea and G. Della Gatta;
“Study of deterioration of historical parchments by various thermal analysis techniques complemented by SEM, FTIR, UV-Vis-NIR and unilateral NMR investigations”, pp.17-27
DOI: 10.1007/s10973-007-8513-x

Abstract: A comprehensive investigation has been made of a set of 14^th to 16^th-century parchment bookbindings from the Historical Archives of the City of Turin. Advanced physico-chemical techniques, such as thermal analysis (DSC, TG and DTA), spectroscopy (FTIR and UV-Vis-NIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and unilateral nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR-ProFiler) were employed to assess specific deterioration processes occurring at different levels in the hierarchical structure of parchment. Changes in the measured physical and chemical parameter values of parchment due to interaction with the environment were used to identify possible deterioration pathways.

This journal it is available (restricted access) online at:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/1388-6150

Medieval Manuscript Manual

2008-03-10T22:36:00.006Z

This manual was created in the course of various cultural heritage projects at the Department of Medieval Studies, at Central European University, Budapest. It is available online in English, Hungarian, Italian and Russian.

Table of contents:

I. 1. Art Patronage and Function of Medieval Manuscripts
2. The Use of Books

II. Materials and Techniques of Manuscript Production
1. Parchment
2. Papyrus
3. Paper
4. Ruling
5. Pen
6. Ink
7. Gilding
8. Pigments
9. Bookbinding

III. 1. The Structure of Medieval Books
2. Arrangement of the Text

IV. Typology of Medieval Books
1. The Bible
2. Liturgical Books
3. Diverse Types of Books

V. Manuscript Illumination
1-2. History, Artists, and Works
3. The Technique of Illumination in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance

VI. Glossary

VII. Bibliography

Leatherworking in the Middle Ages by Carlson (2003)

2008-03-05T20:40:00.002Z

This is a pdf file available online with documentation compiled and edited by Mark Carlson. There you can find information about different leatherworking techniques such as:

- tooling;
- painting and dyeing,
- sewing;
- cuir bouilli or hardened leather.

Historic gloves and shoes by Redfern (1904)

2008-03-01T14:55:00.009Z

Redfern, W. B. ; Royal and historic gloves and shoes, London (1904)

This book is beautifully illustrated with examples of British or other European historic gloves and shoes. In the shoe section of the book, you can also read about or see examples of Asiatic and African shoes.

Skin processing technology in Eurasian Reindeer cultures by Klokkernes (2007)

2008-02-26T07:30:00.002Z

Torunn Klokkernes, Skin processing technology in Eurasian Reindeer cultures: a comparative study in material science of Sàmi and Evenk methods – perspectives on deterioration and preservation of museum artefacts, PhD thesis, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, The School of Conservation (2007)

"Lipid fraction in historical parchments: a potential role in degradation?" by Ghioni et al (2005)

2008-02-22T00:00:00.005Z

Ghioni, G.; Hiller, J. C.; Kennedy, C. J.; Aliev, A. E.; Odlyha, M.; Boulton, M.; Wess, T. J.; "Evidence of a distinct lipid fraction in historical parchments: a potencial role in degradation?", Journal of Lipid Research 46 (2005) 2726 - 2734
doi:10.1194/jlr.M500331-JLR200

Abstract: Parchment, a biologically based material obtained from the processedhides of animals such as cattle and sheep, has been used formillennia as a writing medium. Although numerous studies haveconcentrated on the structure and degradation of collagen withinparchment, little attention has been paid to noncollagenouscomponents, such as lipids. In this study, we present the resultsof biochemical and structural analyses of historical and newlymanufactured parchment to examine the potential role that lipidplays in parchment stability. The lipid fraction extracted fromthe parchments displayed different fatty acid compositions betweenhistorical and reference materials. Gas chromatography, small-angleX-ray scattering, and solid-state NMR were used to identifyand investigate the lipid fraction from parchment samples andto study its contribution to collagen structure and degradation. We hypothesize that the origin of this lipid fraction is eitherintrinsic, attributable to incomplete fat removal in the manufacturingprocess, or extrinsic, attributable to microbiological attackon the proteinaceous component of parchments. Furthermore, weconsider that the possible formation of protein-lipid complexesin parchment over the course of oxidative degradation may bemediated by reactive oxygen species formed by lipid peroxidation.

"Ricientes avances en conservación de objectos de cuero" por Álvarez (2005)

2008-02-17T19:02:00.006Z

Álvarez, Gerardo M. G.; “Ricientes avances en conservación de objetos de cuero”, Museos.es, n.º1 (2005) 80-87

Resumen: Se presenta una visión de la problemática general de la conservación y restauración de objetos de cuero desde el punto de vista de la permanencia del material. Una somera revisión bibliográfica nos acerca a los desarrollos realizados en este campo desde la década de 1990. Por último se presenta una discusión de los datos obtenidos en los últimos estudios que he realizado centrados en las características hidrodinámicas del cuero, su relación con el deterioro y las conclusiones que podemos establecer de cara a la conservación de este material.

Abstract: An overview of the general problems associated with conserving and restoring leather objects from the point of view of the permanence of the material. A summary bibliographic review gives us an idea of the advances made in this field since the nineties. Finally, there is a discussion of the data obtained from the most recent studies which have focused on the hydrodynamic characteristics of leather, their role in deterioration and the conclusions that can be drawn in terms of the conservation of this material.

Tanning in Fes, Morocco by National Geographic (2006)

2008-02-15T08:20:00.006Z

No processo antigo e tradicional de curtume de peles, as operações de pré-curtimenta caracterizavam-se por serem trabalhos muito pouco agradáveis aos sentidos mas, no entanto, fundamentais para a obtenção de um bom cabedal. Em Marrocos, na cidade de Fez, é ainda possível testemunhar as técnicas manuais da lavagem das peles, do caleiro, descarna, desencalagem e purga, esta última com dejectos de animais. A purga (ou lixo), actualmente efectuada com enzimas, é uma operação essencial para abrir a estrutura de fibras de colagénio da pele e é utilizada na preparação de cabedais macios.
Este curto vídeo de 2006 produzido para a National Geographic mostra-nos, poupando-nos o olfacto de uma experiência desagradável, como se preparava no passado uma pele para receber a curtimenta.

This video is a travel back to the Middle Ages of the tanning process. If you play it, you will watch the manual preparation of skins before tanning still in use in Fes. In particular, you will watch puering operation, a noisome operation which uses pigeon dung, employed mainly for sheep and lamb skins.

Recent preoccupations concerning textiles, leather, legislation. Post-prints relating to leather (2007)

2008-02-11T12:09:00.000Z

Recent preoccupations concerning textiles, leather, legislation: post-prints related to leather / Préoccupations récentes concernant le textile, le cuir et la législation: publication concernant le cuir, Post-prints of the Interim Meeting held in Athens, 21-24th April 2004 / Réunion intermédiaire Athènes, 21-24 Avril 2004; ICOM-CC Working Group “Leather and Related Materials”/Groupe de Travail “Cuir et Matériaux Associés” (2007)

Thanks to the work done by Theo Sturge, ICOM-CC Leather Group Coordinators and all the contributors Athens Meeting post-prints are now published. It contains 22 papers on a variety of aspects of leather conservation and is available on http://www.lulu.com/content/1644345 . The printed book is available "at cost" plus postage or it can be downloaded free as a full colour PDF file.

"Arsenic in taxidermy collections" by Marte et al (2006)

2008-02-08T13:10:00.000Z

Marte, F.; Péquignot, A.; Von Endt, D.; “Arsenic in taxidermy collections: history, detection and management”, Collection Forum 21 (1–2) (2006) 143–150

Abstract: An historical review of taxidermy treatments shows that arsenic has been used in the preparation and conservation of specimens from the 18th century until recent times. Two spot tests for arsenic detection have been tested and compared: the Weber’s test and a kit developed by Macherey-Nagel. Stuffed birds from the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris and standard arsenical solutions were spot tested and results compared with those using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICPMS). The spot tests compared well to the results using expensive equipment, are freely available, inexpensive and provide an adequate level of detection down to 20 ppm. All specimens should be monitored even those that test negative first time round. Institutions should be responsible for monitoring levels of arsenic in collections, use appropriate protection when handling all specimens and regularly update health and safety records.

And in the same number:
Péquignot, A.; Tumosa, Ch.;Von Endt, D.; “The effects of tanning and fixing processes on the properties of taxidermy skins”, Collection Forum 21 (1–2) (2006) 133–142

Abstract:The effect of different tanning and fixing processes on the mechanical properties of taxidermy skins was investigated using a screw driven tensile machine. Tanning treatments were potash alum powder, salt and a bath (salt, potash alum, and water) used at the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris. Fixing was with formalin or alcohols (methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol). Stress vs strain plots using results from air-dried skin as control show that air dried skins are least flexible, squirrel skins are significantly stiffer than deer skins but that all the skins tested show elastic properties, except skins fixed in formalin. The MNHN bath produces stronger and more flexible treatments than using potash alum or salt powder on their own. There were no significant differences between ethanol and 2-propanol treated skins at similar concentrations but methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol have increasing flexibility. Increasing ethanol concentration makes the skin more flexible. Even small amounts of formalin increase flexibility and large amounts of formalin are not needed to make a useful skin for taxidermy. Differences of bonding between collagen fibbers in the skins account for the differing mechanical properties and suggest ethanol is better than formaldehyde for future preparations. Knowledge of preparation technique is vital when considering future conservation strategies.

The naturalist's guide in collecting and preserving objects of natural history by Maynard (1887)

2008-02-03T20:10:00.000Z

Maynard, C. J.; The naturalist's guide in collecting and preserving objects of natural history, Cupples and Hund Publishers, Boston (1887)

Table of contents:
1. Collecting and preserving birds
2. Collecting and preserving mammals
3. Collecting and preserving insects for the cabinet
4. Collecting and preserving fishes and reptiles
5. Miscellaneous collections

And I reproduce here an interesting and curious ad printed in the first page of this book:

And one more (here partially reproduced):

The art of taxidermy and taxidermy collections

2008-02-03T18:18:00.000Z

Taxidermia (do grego taxis + derma que significa "dar forma à pele") é a arte de montar (empalhar) ou reproduzir animais para estudo ou exposição. Em muitos casos, a pele (incluíndo pêlo, penas ou escamas) dos espécimes é preservada sobre estruturas de suporte. Estes espécimes podem ser encontrados em colecções de história natural.

Taxidermy (greek taxis + derma) is the art of mounting or reproducing animals for display or for other sources of study.
Taxidermy can also be defined as practice of creating lifelike representations of animals by using their prepared skins and various supporting structures. Taxidermy began with the ancient custom of keeping trophies of the hunt. Beginning in the 18th century, a growing interest in natural history resulted in collections and exhibits of birds, beasts and curiosities. Chemically preserving skins, hair, and feathers made it possible to recreate the appearance of live animals by stuffing the sewed-up skin with straw or hay. (From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia)

More information regarding taxidermy collections can be found at:
Working group on "The art of taxidermy and its cultural heritage importance" of ICOM-NATHIST (ICOM International Committe for Museums and Collections of Natural History) website or newsletters:
"Working group on the art of taxidermy and its cultural heritage importance", ICOM NATHIST Newsletter 15 (2006)
"Case studies- taxidermy and habitat groups", ICOM NATHIST Newsletter 17 (2006)