Textile Conservators
Services
Cleaning - We have a purpose-built wet-cleaning floor to accommodate larger textiles, and a washing table for smaller items. Limited solvent cleaning can be carried out in the workroom. Arrangements can be made for larger or more robust items to be cleaned off-site, for example, tapestries can be sent for specialist cleaning at The De Wit facilities in Belgium if required.
Estimating and Condition Surveys - Estimates can be carried out in the workroom or in-situ to include; a condition report, proposals for treatment and estimates of costs for services and materials. Estimates undertaken on site are charged for. Full condition surveys can be provided for collections or a group of objects.. The survey form will be designed to meet the aims of each survey individually. A full overview report can also be provided, presenting statistical analysis drawn from the survey. Auction reports for overseas museums can be undertaken and shipping or courier services arranged.
Photography and documentation - We provide full written documentation together with photography before, during and after conservation, for each project undertaken. We now use digital photography and can supply images printed or on disc according to requirements.
Treatment options - We are able to undertake a full range of stitched or adhesive support techniques, depending on the needs of the object. We have worked on many objects including: banners and flags, both painted and embroidered: costume and costume accessories: samplers and embroideries; rugs and carpets; upholstery and furnishing textiles; oriental textiles and tapestries. We have successfully collaborated with conservators in other disciplines to conserve mixed-media objects such as a leather and embroidered saddle, four poster beds and other furniture. Wherever possible we aim to make conservation treatments reversible. Support fabrics and threads are chosen to be sympathetic to the substrate and dyed to match the objects, to appear as unobtrusive as possible. On-site work can be undertaken if objects are too large or fragile to be moved.
Mounting for Display - Smaller textiles can be mounted onto acid-free boards covered with textile, prior to framing. If necessary we can arrange framing and ensure that acid-free materials are used throughout. Linings and Velcro are applied to larger flat textiles to allow them to be hung. Large acid-free boards can be constructed for larger more fragile textiles. We have considerable experience in mounting costume for display. In the case of costume, the shape of the display figure is built up to provide the correct period silhouette and to provide maximum support using approved archival materials. Pressure mounting is an option if required. We are able to liaise with museum mount-makers to provide more complex mounts for three-dimensional objects using Perspex, wood or metal.
Advisory Services - We provide a full range of advisory services on the storage of collections, and preventive conservation. These can be as simple as a brief advisory visit, or the provision of a full report with recommendations, as to how to improve the environment, storage facilities, or displays.
At work on a painted banner.