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Treatment; 16 Jul 2012; Light clean of surface.; Metals

Header: Treatment; 16 Jul 2012; Light clean of surface.; Metals
Reason: Photography
Description: All work carried out under stereomagnification. The stability of the gilding and surfaces were probed with a fine-tipped bamboo skewer and found to be stable with no signs of mobility or lifting. Very small cotton swabs were made by paring down bamboo skewers to access narrow areas. Surfaces were swabbed with Industrial methylated spirits (ethanol,methanol). Some areas of compacted dirt were disrupted using the point of a scalpel to facilitate removal. The most dirt was removed in this manner was from around the hind leg of the creature in the decoration. However, some areas of impressed dirt in the cells remained resistant. Therefore, the object was soaked in deionised water for 15 minutes to soften and loosen the dirt. This was followed up by swabbing in the cells and crevices with 50:50 IMS:deionised water swabs. The high points were also swabbed with 50:50 IMS:deionised water. More dirt (darker swabs) were found coming off the high points than in the crevices. Finally, the object was solvent-dried with acetone swabs in the crevices and high points and left to dry and off-gas for 1 hour in the fume cupboard.
Details: Treatment