Arms & Armour Cataloguing Project
Programme: MSc Conservation for Archaeology and Museums Placement
Duration: 2022
Conservation Team: Melody Wentz - Metals Conservator
Project synopsis:
From August 2022 to January 2023, I completed my placement at the Wallace Collection, where my primary focus was to assist with a large-scale cataloguing project for the Ottoman, Middle Eastern, and Asian (OMEA) arms and armour collection. This ambitious 15-year undertaking was in its final stages, finishing with the conservation treatment of approximately 120 remaining objects within the collection.
The artefacts housed in the collection mostly required cleaning and stabilisation before photography could be conducted. A substantial portion of the objects consisted of various metal compositions including steel, bronze, as well as silver and gold plating, with the majority of these objects being swords, Shields, and helmets which originated from Persia, India, and the Ottoman Empire.
Treatment of gauntlet with severe verdigris on interior and pierce work:
Packaging of decorative belts:
Composite artefacts such as scabbards vambraces, powder flasks, cartridge pouches, and quivers were also present. While textiles within the collection received minimal treatment, they were carefully maintained dry cleaning methods and the application has structural supports when necessary.
Treatment of ornate sword and belt with silver detailing:
Click each image for treatment details:
