Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

726 Conservation of Furniture
principle behind the treatment remains the
same, although modern materials, such as net,
leno, gauze or knits, offer fine mesh size, better
width of material and may be based on silk or
nylon net and silk or polyester crepeline.
Case covers
Upholstery can be protected from dust and
light damage with case covers. Fine furniture
was often historically protected with ‘cases’ of
fabric or leather. These were distinct from storage
dust covers and were often of a decorative
quality. They were used as daily furnishings
and could be removed for special occasions. A
conservator or curator may design reproductions
of period case covers. Cases should be
lined with a light, smooth, slippery fabric that
will prevent abrasion of the top covers when
the cases are applied or removed.
Stabilizing with repairs
Detached, loose and missing areas may be stabilized
by means of patches, either over top
surfaces or inserted through missing areas to
rest between layers. The technique used to
attach patches, e.g. stitching or adhesives,
should be reversible and suitable to the type of
material and its condition. Further discussion
on patching may be found in Landi (1992) and
Brooks et al. (1995).
Supports
The underside of a seat or outer back panel
may be supported with a rigid or semi-rigid
material such as acid-free card, acrylic sheet or
polypropylene mesh. The support should be
vented with holes to allow free passage of air,
and may use a fixing system that slips between
the upholstery and the rail (see Figure 16.5;
Balfour et al., 1999; Sheetz, 1989).
16.3.8 Invasive treatments
To some degree most invasive treatments will
irreversibly change some aspect(s) of the original
construction. Some forethought is required
to decide if and how the removed layers will
be reapplied. Consider what will be used to
replace the layers if they are retired to storage.
Removal and documentation
It is important to document dimensions, order
of application and condition as far as possible
before disassembly. This information is
required both to meet professional standards of
ethics and to reassemble the object. Note the
number of metal fasteners and their corresponding
holes. Any extra holes and metal fasteners
may suggest earlier interventions or that
the layer has been removed and reapplied. To
the practised eye, location and size of holes
may suggest specific layers and an original
style of upholstery and trim. Sometimes fragments
of fibres will be found embedded in the
corrosion products of hardware. Oxidized or
compressed wood may show the location of a
former layer, for example webbing, caning,
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Figure 16.6 A selection of tools used for removing
metal fastenings: (a) mallet; (b) tack lifter; (c) ripping
chisel; (d) staple lifter; (e) oblique-headed side cutters