Blythe House Storage Decant
Overview:
Two overarching projects of the placement involved conducting intensive condition surveys of multiple galleries within the Science Museum. Without a thorough condition assessment of the display cases, the physical state of the objects would remain unknown. The concern pertaining to fluctuating light exposure, aging display cases, and inadequate climate control made this project highly relevant and has shed light on the overall unstable conditions of the current gallery spaces. This knowledge has inspired plans for necessary changes in the near future, including the reassessment and refurbishment of the galleries.
While assisting at Blythe, duties included adapting to the needs of the project dependent on the scheduled transport of objects to off-site storage. Safe and efficient packaging was imperative for all objects. One focus was the packaging of the collection of historic prosthetic limbs, all which varied in physical state.
Other objects were in an unacceptable condition to transport and required treatment beforehand. For example, the polychrome wooden plaque below:
Object: Polychrome Wooden Plaque
Date: 15th to 16th c
Materials: Wood, gilding, paint, lead
Object Description: Wooden plaque depicting Saint Felicity with her seven sons, Spanish or Italian 15th to 16th centuries
Condition: Condition is poor overall with much of the polychrome surfaces being highly friable. The plaque is made up of approximately five paint colours present on the surface: red/maroon, blue, brown, dark green, and black. The majority of the carvings are gilded. Red and blue paint appears to be newer with a gloss finish compared to other pigments on the plaque.
Treatment Performed: Surfaces of the gilding were cleaned using funori gel with cotton swabs. All chipped paint was carefully reattached using sturgeon glue. Locations that were delaminating were consolidated using Klucel G. Locations that were more stable were cleaned with 1:1 acetone and deionised water which effectively removed the staining and residues without affecting paint or gilding.
