The Textiles Department specializes in the preservation of 15th-21st century flags, samplers, tapestries, laces, quilts, coverlets, costumes, embroideries, weavings, and ethnic textiles. Following treatment, the textiles can be custom mounted, framed, placed into vitrines, or prepared for long term storage. Patience and concentration is evident in the delicate hand work required by this department.
Treatment Examples:
Original Abraham Lincoln Presidential Campaign Banner. Left, pre-treatment: significant surface deposits and rust stains discolored the banner, which was also in extremely fragile condition. After surface cleaning, integration of previous fills and re-touching, the banner was then mounted to a secondary structural support (post treatment, right).
Below, a second Lincoln "Wide Awakes" banner before and after treatment.
Campbell's Soup Dress, after Andy Warhol; Post treatment
Our Textile Department conserves many different works, from heirloom needlepoints to museum quality Louis XVI chairs.
This silk banner honoring Maria Immaculate, from the early 1900's, was damaged during a fire in a Church. It was coated with oily smoke and soot film, but also showed extensive structural damage. The fabric was very fragile, and the combination of age and exposure to the heat from the fire and several past attempts at repair were evident.
To treat the banner, each element was surface cleaned to remove the overlaying smoke and soot oils, as well as decades of dirt and environmental particulates. Old repairs and patching were also removed. The silk fabric on the front and back panels was reinforced with a secondary Belgian linen canvas attached to the under side using a conservation film adhesive. The blue back panel was similarly reinforced with a matching blue cotton cloth. The banner was then reconstructed and the body as a whole was blind-stitched together.
