These comparison photos exemplify the fundamentals of conservation treatment and precisely demonstrate our skills. The images of before and after treatment reveal the doctor like precision which guides us, as well as the magic of transformation.
Lovely Needlepoint Cushion
Replacing canvas foundation and filling in the areas of loss with new needlepoint, allows this charming antique cushion enjoyed again.
Ceremonial Cloth
This goat skin beaded cloth for puberty ceremonies was carefully surface cleaned and the holes filled with hand stitched patches.
A beautiful antique silk on silk embroidery is cleaned, stains removed and stitch mounted on a rigid stretcher system. The contrasting border color really pops the textile.
A split and torn 19th c embroidery of Mary is cleaned, holes filled, and re mounted for framing. The before photo shows the back, and how brilliant this needle art once was.
What a piece of American history! This fragile Lincoln commemorative ribbon was wet cleaned, stabilized and stitch mounted for framing. The treatment results are rewarding.
A crinkled fragile WWII blue star banner, used to indicate how many sons were serving in the war. This treasure is surface cleaned, stabilized and mounted for display.
Arrrgh…sticky black velcro and staples are a no-no. First, deconstruction, and then a very difficult process to remove the black, gooey stains. The final step: re-configure the ribbon with the hard-earned medal.
This indigo-dyed wool bunting of a Civil War era flag was lined with a semi-sheer blue fabric to provide visual harmony and structural stability, before mounting for exhibition.
This hankie has been carried by 10 generations of women in marriage. Amazing! The damage was caused by folding it in 8ths for storage over nearly 200 years. Extensive adhesive treatment, custom-made archival box and display mount gives this precious heirloom continued life.
We treat many samplers; they are often full of holes and discolored. After cleaning and de-acidifcation, the areas of loss were ‘filled’ with matching fabric so that the sampler is more visually integrated.
A charming early 1960’s handmade wedding dress, made by the bride’s mother’s dear friend, with her dressmaker label intact. The owner hopes now that her grand niece will be tempted to wear it for her wedding.
Wedding dress lace detail.
This is a dramatic example of how some cotton voile christening dresses can clean and transform. It is now being used by the next generations in the family.
One of my favorite delivery packaging of all time – a styrafoam take-out box. Opening the box, I could not imagine what would emerge. This adorable home made child’s dress is now adored by the owners’ grand children.
Samplers are often completely glued down to old cardboard. Moisture, solvents, spatulas, and patience are some of the tools we use to separate them. After cleaning, it is mounted for re-framing.
This vintage, rayon car salesroom banner is cleaned, pressed and refreshed for home display.
Two pair of Native American buckskin, beaded and silk slippers were delicately stabilized using a semi-sheer overlay of fine tulle. The goal is to secure the remaining materials, not to replace or restore them to original condition.
