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Treatment; Remove old backing, repair, remount, new glass and binding.

Header: Treatment; Remove old backing, repair, remount, new glass and binding.
Reason: Permanent Exhibition
Description: Papyrus examined and traced. Under magnification (x 10) much frass can be seen on the papyrus surface particularly on the text block areas where there is most insect damage. Here the insects appear to have eaten areas of the surface layer as well as ink, the gum binder in the ink being a possible source of food. There are also white fibres scattered over the surface, possibly residual interleaving tissue or blotting paper fibres from a previous treatment, and salt deposits. Some of the surface damage to the text appears to be physical abrasion as well as insect damage. The papyrus was removed from the mount where it left a moderate amount of salt bloom on the inside of the glass. PRELIMINARY TESTS: Tested for solubility of media with water and acetone, neither were soluble. As much frass as possible was removed from the papyrus surface with tweezers and brushes. Lifting fibres were laid down and small areas of the surface were consolidated with a fine brush using Abra starch (wheat starch). The backing paper was trimmed at the edges. Faced with strips of Spider tissue using Paraloid B72 (ethyl methacrylate copolymer) (10% in actone) applied by brush. Backing removed with tweezers after applying damp blotters to verso under weighted glass. The backing was removed without finding any difficult areas. The verso of the papyrus was then repaired immediately with Japanese paper tabs [pre-toned with Aquarell watercolours] using Wheat starch paste - gluten free over the light table making sure that all the fractured areas were secured prior to facing removal. Removed facing with tweezers after applying acetone soaked blotters to whole under glass. The papyrus was kept between Bondina and blotters under weighted glass for several weeks prior to final repairs.
Details: Treatment

1 related objects

papyrus

Museum number: EA10509,1 |
Cultures/periods: x14341 New Kingdom |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Egypt

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