Documentation in Textile Conservation.pdf

"Documentation in Textile Conservation" is a file that presents the careful recording of a textile’s condition, materials, and treatment procedures. It emphasizes the importance of written, photographic, and graphic records to ensure the preservation, study, and future care of textile objects.

1. Documentation in Textile
Conservation
Asst. Prof. Crisencio M. Paner

2. Introduction
•Textile conservation deals with preserving fabrics such as tapestries,
garments, carpets, and archaeological textiles.
•Documentation is essential in this field to ensure continuity of care,
enable informed decision-making, and provide transparency for future
conservators and researchers.
•According to the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and the
International Council of Museums - Committee for Conservation (ICOM-
CC), documentation must be part of all conservation processes (AIC,
1994; ICOM-CC, 2008).

3. Importance of Documentation
•Historical Record: Preserves knowledge about original
materials, manufacture, and subsequent alterations.
•Treatment Justification: Supports the rationale behind chosen
interventions.
•Condition Monitoring: Allows comparison over time to assess
deterioration.
•Legal and Ethical Accountability: Provides traceability and
supports institutional responsibility.
•Research and Education: Offers a knowledge base for
scholars and students.

4. Types of Documentation
A. Condition Documentation
•Visual Examination: Notes discoloration, tears,
fraying, insect damage, staining, or past repairs.

5. Types of Documentation
A. Condition Documentation
•Photographic Records: Includes normal light, raking
light, UV, and infrared photography.

6. Types of Documentation
A. Condition Documentation
•Photographic Records: Includes normal light, raking light, UV,
and infrared photography.
??? UV Fluorescence in Textile Conservation
Revealing Hidden Features in Textiles:
•UV fluorescence photography is a non-invasive technique used
in textile conservation to reveal hidden features such as repairs,
stains, or the presence of optical brighteners.
•Modern threads and adhesives often fluoresce brightly under
UV light, which can help conservators identify areas that may
require attention.

7. Types of Documentation
A. Condition Documentation
•Photographic Records: Includes normal light, raking
light, UV, and infrared photography.
Infrared (IR) photography is a powerful tool in textile conservation, enabling
conservators to uncover hidden details such as underdrawings, repairs, and
pigment applications that are not visible under normal lighting conditions.

8. Types of Documentation
A. Condition Documentation
•Technical Analysis: Fiber identification (e.g., microscopy),
dye analysis (HPLC, TLC), and weave structure mapping.

9. Types of Documentation
A. Condition Documentation
•Technical Analysis: Fiber identification (e.g., microscopy),
dye analysis (HPLC, TLC), and weave structure mapping.
??? High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
•HPLC separates dye components in textile samples, producing chromatograms that display
distinct peaks corresponding to different compounds.

10. Types of Documentation
A. Condition Documentation
•Technical Analysis: Fiber identification (e.g., microscopy),
dye analysis (HPLC, TLC), and weave structure mapping.
•Weave structure mapping is a crucial aspect of textile conservation, aiding in the
analysis and preservation of historical fabrics.
•This process involves detailed examination of the interlacing patterns of warp and weft
threads to understand the textile's construction, which is essential for accurate
documentation, reproduction, and conservation treatments.

11. Types of Documentation
B. Treatment Documentation
•Treatment Proposal and Ethics Review: A written plan,
including goals and ethical considerations.
•Process Log: Step-by-step record of cleaning, stabilization,
support stitching, and mounting.
•Material List: Details of all threads, fabrics, adhesives, and
equipment used.
•Before and After Images: Visual comparison showing the
impact of treatment.

12. Types of Documentation
C. Preventive Conservation Documentation
vEnvironmental Monitoring: Tracks temperature,
relative humidity (RH), and light levels using
dataloggers.
vStorage and Display Conditions: Records types of
supports, mounts, and archival materials used.
vHandling Instructions: Guidelines for safe movement
and exhibition of textiles.

13. Types of Documentation
C. Preventive Conservation Documentation
Environmental Monitoring: Tracks temperature, relative
humidity (RH), and light levels using dataloggers.

14. Types of Documentation
C. Preventive Conservation Documentation
Storage and Display Conditions: Records types of
supports, mounts, and archival materials used.

15. Types of Documentation
??? Recommended Textile Storage Methods
Flat Storage
Ideal for most textiles, flat storage provides full support, reducing stress on fibers. Enclosed
flat storage also protects against dust, light, and water damage.
Rolled Storage
Suitable for large textiles like rugs and quilts, rolled storage minimizes creasing. Textiles
should be rolled onto acid-free tubes and covered with protective materials like muslin or
Tyvek.
Hanging Storage
Appropriate for sturdy garments with strong shoulder seams. Use padded hangers to
distribute weight evenly. Avoid hanging delicate fabrics or those with heavy embellishments.
Archival Materials
Use acid-free tissue paper and boxes to prevent chemical interactions that can degrade
textiles. Avoid regular cardboard or wood, which can be acidic.

16. Types of Documentation
C. Preventive Conservation Documentation
??? Handling Guidelines for Textiles
Wear Clean Gloves: Always use clean, white cotton gloves when handling textiles to
prevent oils and dirt from transferring to the fabric.
Support the Entire Object: Use both hands to support the textile fully, avoiding stress on
any one area. For larger items, consider using trays or supports to distribute weight evenly.
Minimize Movement: Plan movements in advance to reduce handling time. Ensure the
path is clear and the destination is prepared before moving the textile.
Use Protective Coverings: When transporting textiles, cover them with acid-free tissue or
unbleached muslin to protect against dust and light.
Avoid Direct Contact: Do not place textiles directly on the floor or rough surfaces. Use
clean, padded surfaces when laying them down.

17. Digital and Long-Term Record Keeping
Digital Databases: Platforms like TMS (The Museum System) or
ConservationSpace are commonly used.
Metadata Standards: CIDOC-CRM and Dublin Core for cross-institutional
compatibility.
File Formats: Use of archival formats such as TIFF for images and PDF/A
for text documents.

18. Ethical Considerations
•The AIC Code of Ethics emphasizes complete and
permanent documentation, honesty in reporting, and the
obligation to maintain access for future professionals.
•Decisions and rationale must be clear, especially when
altering or removing original material.

19. Challenges
•Standardization: Different organizations may document
differently, complicating data sharing.
•Resource Constraints: Time, funding, and staffing affect the
extent and quality of documentation.
•Technological Obsolescence: Risk of digital records becoming
unreadable due to software/hardware changes.

20. Case Studies
A. The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
•The V&A’s textile conservation team meticulously documents objects using custom
software, standardized templates, and collaborative databases. Their work on the
18th-century Spitalfields silk gowns involved extensive dye testing and stitch
mapping.
B. The Abegg-Stiftung, Switzerland
•Famous for its scientific approach, the Abegg-Stiftung combines textile analysis
with thorough documentation of fiber structure, dye origin, and past repairs,
ensuring full traceability of interventions.

21. Case Studies
A. The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)

22. Case Studies
•B. The Abegg-Stiftung, Switzerland

23. Conclusion
vDocumentation in textile conservation is both a
technical and ethical obligation.
vIt underpins all aspects of conservation work, from
analysis to preventive care.
vAs conservation continues to embrace digital tools and
interdisciplinary collaboration, documentation must
remain adaptable, accurate, and accessible.

24. References
AIC (1994). Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. American Institute for Conservation.
https://www.culturalheritage.org
ICOM-CC (2008). Terminology to Characterize the Conservation of Tangible Cultural Heritage.
Timar-Balazsy, Á., & Eastop, D. (1998). Chemical Principles of Textile Conservation. Butterworth-
Heinemann.
Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes. (Ongoing). Textile Conservation Series.
Kerr, N., & Tétreault, J. (2010). Assessing the Risk of Damage to Textiles on Display.
Abegg-Stiftung. (n.d.). https://abegg-stiftung.ch/