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Treatment; 16 Feb 2011; Light clean Check paint and gilding (slight cupping accross the grain); Organics

Reason: Photography
Description: Light clean by Very lightly dusted with a soft brush into low suction vacuum. Followed by teasing the surface with Chemsponge/smoke sponge (vulcanized rubber molecular trap, containing a minuscule percentage of mild soap i.e. <30grm per 500kg). Neither of the above proved sucessful for removing the ingrained dirt that was obscuring the decorative surface and particularly the inscriptions. once the surface had been thoroughly inspected and I felt that the surface decoration paint, gilding and coating was secure I carried out a test with a slightly moist (white Spirit (composition variable - petroleum distillate)) swab to see if I could remove the ingrained accreation. This proved sucessful, with the surface secure and the coating in good protective (painted layer) condition., I cleaned the whole surface with swabs as described. .
Details: Treatment