CONSERVATION REPORT OF LEATHER OBJECT OF ATHENS

Brief description of the object Part of a leather horse tack that was brought to the labs of TEI from a bazar. The period when was made is unknown. The type of leather used for this horse tack is cattle leather.

Label

Photos B/W

COLOR

SLIDES

Analysis The investigation methods of the object were optical observation and optical microscopy.

State of preservation of the object Because of the different deterioration factors damages were caused to the object: - loss of elasticity - cracks - weathering of matter - brittle - chromatic alteration Conservation Treatment Materials & Methods used The tests carried on the object were both dry and wet tests and were made for cleaning of the leather. Materials used: Dry tests: chemical sponges and brushes Wet tests: cotton swabs, water, acetone, alcohol, Synperonic 10%, Vulpex 10%, Texapon 5% Because of the loss of elasticity the piece of leather had to be humidified in order to avoid further cracks and brittle of the leather. For this a dampened Gore-TEX sheet was used following the two-sided humidification method (sandwich). Wet tests: 1. Water 2. Acetone 3. Water + alcohol 50:50 4. Synperonic 10% 5. Vulpex 10% 6. Texapon 5% Acetone is colorless, mobile, flammable liquid, and is the simplest ketone. It is miscible with water and serves as an important solvent, typically for cleaning purposes in the laboratory.

Non-ionic soaps: VULPEX liquid soap is a safe cleaner that attacks and emulsifies dirt, fats, oils, waxes and hydrocarbons. SYNPERONIC 17 is a mild detergent used for the removal of the tar and ground-in grime. TEXAPON is a non-ionic soap that removes the dirt without the risk of dirt penetration inside the surface to be cleaned.

Storage and suggestion of environmental conditions The ideal environment is 50-55% RH (relative humidity), 50 lux or less, 18C, combined with protection from dust, handling and pests. Monitoring and maintaining stable humidity levels is essential for promoting long-term preservation of leather artefacts. Although this may be unachievable in domestic, non-museum or alas many museum context, a clean and stable environment should be provided for the survival of the object. The dry methods used for cleaning the object werent suitable in this case because of the state of preservation the leather was in. So, the use of chemical sponges and brushes caused the removal not only of dust and soil, but also some leather matter. After using the non-ionic soaps (Synperonic, Vulpex, Texapon), the treated surface should be washed with water. The cleaning with acetone changed the color of the leather from dark to light brown and also, the spot of leather were the acetone was used became more dehydrated than the rest. The non-ionic soaps cleaned the leather differently. Texapon 5% was the best choice in this case, but even after using this non-ionic soap the dust, dirt and soil wasnt uniformly removed. The humidification of the leather object was the last step of the treatment, but even after this, the proper elasticity of the leather wasnt achieved. Further humidification interventions should be made.

Other observations

Dry cleaning caused the loss of some leather matter

Wet tests made on the leather object had different cleaning results

Date (start) Student name

5.11.2013
Laura Hangiu YES

Delivery date

20.11.2013

Conservation treatment completed?

NO