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Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

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736 Conservation of Furniture<br />

(a)<br />

(b)<br />

Figure 16.10 Supporting tears in leather<br />

(a) First-aid treatment to the reverse side of a torn<br />

seventeenth century gilt leather panel. The torn edges<br />

have been supported with Japanese tissue secured with<br />

an acrylic adhesive. (b) The front of the gilt leather<br />

panel pictured in (a). The wire of the storage rack can<br />

be seen through a hole in the left-hand side of the<br />

panel<br />

variety of materials including acrylic paints,<br />

gouache or water colours.<br />

Backing materials<br />

Fabric may be bonded to the underside (flesh<br />

side) of leather to support leather infills or torn<br />

edges. Thin, non-woven fabrics such as Cerex<br />

30 (0.08 mm) or Reemay 2410 (0.25 mm) have<br />

been recommended for general lightweight use<br />

on upholstery leathers (Selm, 1991). They may<br />

also find application for supporting tears, such<br />

as those found on folding screens or skivers<br />

laid across hinged fall fronts. They are flexible,<br />

but do not add undue bulk to a repair and do<br />

not exert directional distortion on already fragile<br />

leather. Other alternatives include Tnjugo, a<br />

hand-made Japanese paper, which is weaker<br />

than the leather and will break before causing<br />

damage to fragile leather (Figure 16.10).<br />

The following procedure may be used for<br />

applying a backing material to support torn or<br />

friable leather. Lay the support material onto silicone<br />

release paper. Coat the support material<br />

with an adhesive (e.g. Lascaux 360 HV) and<br />

leave to dry. Cut the support material to the<br />

required shape or size and remove the silicon<br />

release paper. Lay the support, adhesive side<br />

down to the flesh side (underside) of the<br />

leather. Brush the adhesive impregnated support<br />

fabric with a suitable solvent to reactivate<br />

the adhesive and press onto the leather.<br />

Moderate heat may be used to improve the<br />

adhesive bond. Where this technique is used on<br />

a flat surface, e.g. a writing surface, weights may<br />

be applied, though they should be isolated from<br />

the support fabric (e.g. with Melinex/Mylar).<br />

Coatings<br />

The historical application of varnish-type coatings<br />

on writing surfaces has not been systematically<br />

researched as yet. Such coatings are not<br />

recommended as part of a conservation treatment<br />

because they will penetrate the leather<br />

and reduce its flexibility. Removal of oxidized,<br />

aged and discoloured varnish from a porous<br />

and absorbent leather ground is likely to be<br />

problematic and may damage the leather.<br />

Leather dressings have often been applied in<br />

the past in the mistaken belief that they will<br />

‘feed’, lubricate or preserve leather. Oil based<br />

dressings penetrate the leather, degrade and<br />

embrittle the leather, discolour and bind dirt to<br />

the surface. The application of such dressings<br />

is often a primary cause of deterioration.<br />

Modern dressings are prepared for the equestrian<br />

market and are not suitable for fine<br />

leathers or conservation applications. Dressings,<br />

creams or hide foods should not be<br />

applied to leather as part of a conservation<br />

treatment. Saddle soap should never be used.<br />

If a leather surface is intact and has not been<br />

abraded, the surface may be given a low sheen<br />

by the application of a thin coat of microcrystalline<br />

wax. Leather with an abraded surface<br />

should be left unwaxed.<br />

16.4.2 Parchment and vellum<br />

Parchment is a generic term used to describe<br />

untanned animal pelt which has been dehaired

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