Wet Cleaning
This late 19th to early 20th century textile is a cotton plain weave piece with hand stitched broderie anglaise and a central buttonhole lace motif of a cherub driving a chariot, pulled by two stags. There is a triangular cotton overhang on the front of the piece, a blue silk ribbon inserted around the perimeter of the piece, with two blue silk rosettes on the upper corners.
Its provenance and purpose are not clear - it could potentially be a pillow cover, or a decorative cover for a carriage or cradle. The inserted blue silk ribbon, the rosettes, the cherub, and the overall aesthetic of the piece point to a nursery or infant relationship, but there is little close comparanda.
Once necessary testing was completed, including fiber identification via polarized light microscopy, pH testing, and wash fastness, the piece was prepared for wet cleaning by initial vacuuming and the removal of the inserted silk ribbon (which was not suitable for wet cleaning).
The aim of the treatment was to reduce folds and creases and to minimize discoloration throughout the piece, as well as to balance the acidity of the object (this could also be achieved by a conservation bleaching treatment, contingent on further testing). The silk ribbon and rosettes should be rehumidified, and the piece was prepared for storage with the class collection.
The full treatment report is at the end of the page.
Wet cleaning on the main body of the piece was done with an initial rinse of water, then two washes with a solution of Orvus, a conservation-grade anionic detergent, and CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), an anti-redeposition component that prevents the reattaching of soil to the piece once it has been loosened into the bath water).
The piece was wound on two supporting purpose-made Mylar tubes to allow it to be fully submerged in the cleaning baths. They also served to support the textile during cleaning, as wet textiles are weakened and more prone to tearing.
The Orvus and CMC solution was applied with a sponge using a gentle pressing motion, to provide adequate agitation without damaging the piece while wet, before being rinsed off with distilled water.
Before treatment, front (left) and back (right).
After treatment, front (left) and back (right).
