The dissertation is divided into four sections. The
first deals with the work experience gained at the Australian War Memorial, followed by that gained at the Abegg Stiftung.
Observations on visits to other conservation laboratories and
a report on the two international conferences attended, complete
sections three and four.
Work experience at the Australian War Memorial Textile
conservation laboratory involved spending time in assisting
with ongoing programs, conservation treatments carried out
with supervision, as well as research. The time was divided
so that all areas received equal emphasis. Ongoing programs
involved the uniform inspections program and the display
maintenance program. The involvement with routine tasks
of surface cleaning, and with preparation for storage or
display, with both programs, is not detailed in the dissertation.
Nor can the dissertation include all the treatments of objects.
Reference may be made for details on these treatments, to
Australian War Memorial Conservation records for objects with
the following accession numbers: AWM 1102,/5947,/10487,
AWM 7919. However, two treatment reports are included. These
are for a pair of flying boots worn by the Baron von Richthofen,
and for an embroidered silk souvenir. The boots, now on
permanent display were conserved with attention given to the need
to preserve historical evidence, the choice of materials used for
repair and requirements of display. The silk textile treatment
took into consideration the benefits and risks involved in removing
a deteriorated backing and relining a silk which was extremely
embrittled. In the process it was realised that a facing might
give stability to such a deteriorated silk; however, an
initial study of facing materials and methods was required and
was therefore undertaken and reported on in the dissertation.
Whilst inspecting items in the relics collection of the Australian
War Memorial a number of rubberised fabrics and other rubber materials
were observed to show problems such as hardening, embrittlement,
deformation, tackiness or discolouration. It was found that no
information had been published on the treatment and
preservation of such materials in the conservation
literature. A survey on rubber deterioration and
preservation literature since 1900 is included in the
dissertation.
The function, facilities and equipment of the
textile conservation department of the Australian War
Memorial are described as well as the storage of relics
and uniforms.
Work experience at the Abegg Stiftung involved
assisting with group projects in most instances as well as
working independently with supervision. It was therefore
decided to report in general on the types of treatment given
and give a brief account of the experience and skills gained.
An example of a treatment report as was required for the Abegg
Stiftung records is included as well as an example of detailed
personal notes on the progress and treatment of a 15th century
silk chasuble.
The Abegg Stiftung is recognised as one of the foremost
training centres in textile conservation in Europe. This led
me to consider here the benefits and possible limitations of the
program from the impressions gained during the three months
work experience at the Institute.
Round table discussions were held by Mechthilde Flury-
Lehmburg which served to raise questions for discussion by
textile conservation students and staff. This also permitted
a concensus to be reached when items of a complex nature were
to be conserved. A record of such a discussion is annexed.
The Library of the Institute was frequently consulted by
historians, as it specialises in textile conservation literature
and many languages are represented, German being predominant.
This library was consulted on German literature on textile
conservation, and a brief guide to sources is included.
Visits were made to a number of textile conservation
laboratories in Europe. It was possible as a result of these
visits to evaluate various types of equipment which are used
for textile conservation. It was seen that although much
skilful work was being done, especially in laboratories where
more conservative treatments were preferred, there were a
number of questions which were raised and remained unanswered.
Subjects discussed and research undertaken are reported.
The 1IC and ICOM conferences attended, introduced me to
international cooperation and activity in conservation research
and setting of standards. Information found to be relevant to
progress in textile conservation research and related materials
is summarised here.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219316 |
| Date | January 1985 |
| Creators | Schulz, Karin Hildegard, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Applied Science |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Karin Hildegard Schulz |
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