Proceedings e report - Firenze University Press

MOULD ON ORGANS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OBJECTS.
INVESTIGATIONS IN EIGHT CHURCHES IN SAXONY
Wolfram Scheiding*, Katharina Plaschkies, Björn Weiß
Institute for Wood Technology Dresden, Germany
Abstract
The decay of wood and wood based materials by mould fungi in new or renovated buildings is – unfortunately –
still an ongoing theme for experts like wood preservers or biologists. At both wooden interiors of churches and
sacral assets this problem is relevant, too. In several churches of Saxony, where mould decay occurred, complex
investigations on mould decay have been carried out. Different materials, typically used by conservators, and
fungicides have been tested on their usability under worse conditions and on their effectiveness against mould,
respectively. As a result, causes of the mould decay were investigated and recommendations for its prevention
and control are given.
1. Introduction
For some years, an increasing mould infection is observed in churches and at wooden cultural heritage
objects. Often, organs, altars, claddings, paintings, polychrome coatings and wooden sculptures are
objected (fig. 1-3). The fact is noticeable that the infection occurs at objects which have been restored
shortly before. This concerns wood replacement materials as well as polychrome coatings, although
these materials contained fungicidal additives [1-3]. On the one side, this mould attack is a hygienic
and aesthetic problem, on the other side, it may damage the precious objects. The objectives of the
research project were to clarify the causes of the mould intensified attack and to deduce measures in
order to prevent damages in future. A particular problem is the frequent and partly intensive infection
of organs, as to be seen at fig. 2. The "normal" visitor of a church often does not know that one third of
an organ is made of wood, e.g. body, pipes, chests or actions. The reasons for these problems are
complex, since the mould growth depends on specific conditions of temperature, moisture and nutrient
availability. If specific climatic conditions are given, mould fungi may infect nearly all materials,
except they are treated with a fungicide or have a high pH value. The infection of sacral buildings and
objects with mould is a serious problem, both from hygienic aspects and because cultural objects
deteriorate. The investigations which are reported were carried out in scope of the project
"Development of improved curative and preventive materials and measures for conservation of mould
infected churches and cultural heritage objects", funded by the Federal Ministry of Economy and
Technology. Partner of the project (worked 2003-2005) was the Heritage Preservation Trust of the
Free State of Saxony.
Fig. 1: wooden organ pipes affected by mould
(Aspergillus spec.)
* E-mail: scheiding@ihd-dresden.de
Fig. 2: Mould decay on an pipe raster board; board
varnished, dry, but with dust depositions
Joseph Gril (edited by), Wood Science for Conservation of Cultural Heritage –Braga 2008: Proceedings of the International
Conference held by COST Action IE0601 (Braga - Portugal, 5-7 November 2008, ISBN 978-88-6453-157-1 (print)
ISBN 978-88-6453-165-6 (online) © 2010 Firenze University Press