Needlework Picture
Creator: Unknown, family of Charles W. Morse
Date: Ca. 1775-1800
Culture: Early American, Massachusetts
Medium: Silk worked with silk and metal threads, corded metal threads, paper slips with adhered silk cords, borders of sewn-on woven linen
Dimensions: H. 15.25 x W. 11.62 inches
Collection: Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library
Accession number: 1957.0113 A
Work completed: Documentation | Treatment Proposal | Mount Reversal | Adhesive Reduction
Upcoming work: Scientific Analysis | Mechanical Cleaning | Adhesive Lining | Rehousing
Documentation
Front, before treatment
Back, before treatment
This charming needlework features two animals on either side of a fruit tree, pictured with clouds, playful birds, and a grassy area catching fallen fruit. The imagery is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, likely inspired by Adam and Eve scenes that were popular in schoolgirl embroideries in Boston during the first half of the 18th century.
This textile was flagged for conservation primarily to address structural concerns including tears, degrading edges, and loose threads. Many of the most pressing issues are related to a mounting system dating to 1964 made from muslin and ragboard. The mount was no longer providing adequate support, and even gentle handling risked further damage to the textile.
Diagram of condition issues, before treatment
Digital Microscopy
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Unusual Slips
Slips are a form of appliqué, a previously worked patch that is cut to shape and sewn onto a textile as a design element. Typically, slips are made from a fabric substrate and include a shaped design that has been filled with decorative stitches.
The two large animals depicted on this textile are made from slips with unusual construction details. Instead of using fabric as a substrate or foundation, these slips use paper. And instead of a design sewn onto the substrate, these slips are filled with silk cords that have been adhered onto the paper in spiraling patterns.
Treatment Proposal
1. Before treatment documentation
2. Sampling and scientific analysis: paper slip, adhesive on paper, metal threads
3. Cut and remove stitches from the 1964 conservation campaign
4. Humidify, unfold, and flatten
5. Un-adhere textile from muslin mount
- Use solvents and mechanical action to separate the textile from the muslin
6. Consult with curator and textile conservation supervisors
- Examine unmounted textile, determine appropriate mount and housing
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7. Photograph the back of the unmounted textile
8. Clean mechanically with a HEPA-filtered vacuum and micro attachments
9. Stabilize the textile with an adhesive lining
10. Create new preservation housing
11. After treatment photography and documentation
Mount Reversal
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A Tyvek covered cushion was made to support the textile during treatment.
Large stitches related to the 1964 conservation mount were snipped and gently removed.
Humidification was applied with dampened blotters, and edges were gradually unfolded.
Creases were softened with further humidification and flattening.
While the textile was unfolded but still mounted to muslin, the condition was checked and documented again.
Mylar was used to create outline maps of existing loses and the overall shape of the textile on the muslin mount.
A stereomicroscope was used to visualize, snip, and remove more non-original stitches connecting the textile to the muslin.
Tools, weights, solvents, and a suitable work space were prepared for reversing adhesives used for the 1964 conservation mount.
Water, ethanol, acetone, and amyl acetate were tested to see which solvent was best for softening the aged adhesive. Ethanol worked best overall, but amyl acetate was useful for thick and stubborn areas of adhesive.
A light pad provided transmitted light that helped to visualize threads on the back, areas of thick adhesive, and areas of thin, degraded silk.
Using the light pad, the adhesive was softened using solvent vapor then separated by mechanical action with a micro-spatula.
Adhesive residue was reduced by applying agar gel soaked in ethanol, shown here weighted down with a microscope slide.