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Series editors' preface - Wood Tools

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776 Conservation of Furniture<br />

the original finish (Green, 1991). It can also be<br />

used where original bole is intact, wear is visually<br />

distracting but the conservator wishes to<br />

avoid excessive in gilding. The second<br />

approach is to in-gild using a variety of synthetic<br />

mordants such as Paraloid B72, acrylic<br />

emulsions, PVAL or proprietary materials such<br />

as those produced by Kölner (Thornton,<br />

1991b). The third approach is not to ingild at<br />

all but to compensate for loss using pigments,<br />

water colour or gouache. Iridescent pigments<br />

made from mica have been used by conservators<br />

who do not wish to in-gild but want greater<br />

reflectance than water colours offer (Moyer and<br />

Hanlon, 1996; Thornton, 1991b; Webb, 1994).<br />

Such metallic sheen pigments, sometimes called<br />

pearlescent pigments, are produced by the<br />

vapour deposition of thin layers of titanium and<br />

iron oxide on mica flakes and offer great stability<br />

(Thornton, 2000).<br />

16.9.8 Composition<br />

Composition tends to crack with age and this<br />

can lead to breakage and loss. It also exhibits<br />

a tendency to shrinkage, warping, cupping and<br />

loss of the adhesive bond with the substrate<br />

(Wetherall, 1991). These problems can be<br />

caused or exacerbated by fluctuations in relative<br />

humidity or if excessive solvent applied<br />

during cleaning treatments runs through ageing<br />

cracks and weakens the adhesive bond<br />

between applied ornament and substrate<br />

(Green, 1991). The mixture of animal glue,<br />

resin and linseed oil means that composition<br />

may be damaged by water, polar solvents such<br />

as alcohol or acetone, and exposure to chlorinated<br />

hydrocarbon solvents such as<br />

dichloromethane, a component in many commercial<br />

paint strippers. Where loss of parts of<br />

the compo moulding have occurred it may be<br />

possible to take an impression from another<br />

part of the object and cast a replacement.<br />

Thornton (1991a) discusses a range of materials<br />

and techniques that can be used for this<br />

purpose. Composition is discussed in the context<br />

of moulding and casting in section 10.5.<br />

16.9.9 Coatings<br />

As with other decorative surfaces, the decision<br />

whether to apply a coating to a gilded surface<br />

after a conservation treatment must be taken on<br />

a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration<br />

the desired aesthetic appearance, conditions of<br />

use, handling, display or storage. Although gilding<br />

is rarely varnished, a thin synthetic coating<br />

may offer a degree of protection for areas that<br />

will be exposed to wear in use, although such<br />

a coating is unlikely to reproduce the original<br />

appearance of a gilded surface.<br />

Rabbit skin or parchment size has traditionally<br />

been used as a coating and some gilders<br />

are able to remove this with minimal damage.<br />

Rabbit skin or parchment size is sometimes<br />

applied to an object when a similar layer was<br />

removed during cleaning. Collagen glues are<br />

hygroscopic and will shrink markedly in conditions<br />

of low RH. This can cause exfoliation<br />

of the gold leaf surface. Thorn (1987) has suggested<br />

that rabbit skin size will discolour over<br />

time and, if applied over water gilding, may<br />

prove difficult to remove without damaging the<br />

underlying gold.<br />

16.9.10 Distressing<br />

The concept of patina is applied to gilded pieces<br />

in much the same way as it is to furniture. Patina<br />

represents the mark of the passage of time and<br />

is considered to add aesthetic, historic and monetary<br />

value to an object. Distressing is the<br />

process by which wear and minor damage that<br />

would occur as a normal result of handling,<br />

cleaning and use of the object is simulated on a<br />

new surface or repair. A current aesthetic is for<br />

the surface to appear old and in good condition<br />

but not overly restored, thus distressing is<br />

required to blend in areas that have been<br />

repaired which might otherwise appear glaring<br />

in comparison to the rest of the object. It is<br />

essential to study the surface of an old piece<br />

carefully to understand the degree of wear,<br />

where it has occurred, and the overall effect on<br />

the appearance of the object. It is important to<br />

remember that current perceptions of how a surface<br />

‘should’ appear may be far removed from<br />

the intended original appearance.<br />

Distressing imitates original wear by rubbing<br />

carefully through the gold to expose the underlying<br />

layers. Any abrasive material may be used<br />

that produces acceptable results. Fine wire<br />

wool, fibreglass pens, abrasive powders such<br />

as pumice, rottenstone or talc (French chalk)<br />

may be used. Gilders whiting is a comparatively<br />

mild abrasive that allows the conservator

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