Wooden Figure of a Dog
Owner: Burton Constable Hall
University of Lincoln number: 21/001
Objects Prior to Treatment
This seated figure of a dog, believed to be dated circa 1800 is from the Chinese room at Burton Constable Hall in East Yorkshire. The figure is made from wood, covered with gesso and then painted.
Condition Before Treatment
The figure was in poor condition with damage to its tail – the tail had detached and was in sections. The paint layers were flaking on the slightest movement making conservation treatment essential. The dog had yellowing to its teeth, tongue and eyes. There was an area of loss to the dogs back where its tail had attached. The figure had areas of ingrained dirt to head, snout and legs.
Conservation Treatment
Consolidation was essential to prevent further loss of paint layers, this was carried out by the use of a fine brush under a microscope to prevent any further damage. The tail was re attached and a replacement piece carved from similar wood. The teeth, tongue and eyes were cleaned using cocktail sticks under a microscope. The replacement tail was covered with a suitable alternative to gesso and colour matched to the original tail.
Object After Treatment
Hoover Dustette Box
Owner: Mc Manus Collection
University of Lincoln number: 19/024
Object Prior to Treatment
The Hoover Dustette model 100 was seen as the hight of luxury, this was a handheld portable hoover. This Hoover box was produced in Middlesex between 1946 to July 1955. The box and the Dustette were conserved separately.
Condition Before Treatment
The box had lost its shape and was bulging at the sides. There were areas of loss to both sides of the box near the top and to the back left corner of the lid. The layers of cardboard were delaminating especially under the handle and to all four corners of the lid. The box had water damage, rusting of the rivets and staples and dirt ingrain on its surface. The woven handle was misshaped.
Conservation Treatment
The box was cleaned using a soft brush and HEPA hoover. Groom stick, smoke sponge and vinyl eraser was used on the surface to aid cleaning. The iron rivets and staples had corrosion removed using a glass brittle brush and cocktail stick. To relax the cardboard the box was placed in a humidifier for a short period of time. Tears and delamination of layers were repaired using starch paste. The handle was humidified and re shaped.
Object After Treatment.
Royal Doulton Vase
Owner: Joe Wright
University of Lincoln number: 19/185
Object Prior to Treatment.
This decorative vase was produced by Royal Doulton in Stoke on Trent between 1927 – 1933. The vase is made from a naturally occurring clay associated with utilitarian wares normally of a brown/buff colour. The clay is fired at high temperatures to give a strong, durable and low porosity body. An underglaze has been applied for decoration, and a transparent glaze to give a uniformed sheen.
Condition Before Treatment
The vase was in poor condition and not fit for use. The vase had damage to its mouth, neck and body. The vase had eight shards that needed to be re adhered and areas of loss to be replaced. The body of the vase also had a crack running from the broken neck to a quarter of the way down the vase.
Conservation Treatment
The vase was given a general clean to remove any dust or dirt. The shards were numbered and then stuck together using magic tape to produce a sticking sequence to prevent being locked out. The crack line was clamped, and Epoxy resin fed in by capillary action. The shards were cleaned with acetone, dry sticked in place then adhered with epoxy resin, any residue was removed by scalpel. Dental wax was used to mould areas of loss, epoxy resin with added fumed silica was then placed in the mould and left to cure. The fills were sanded and then colour matched to blend with the vases decoration.
Object After Treatment
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