Whale bone

The preservation of bone outdoors is indeed likely to be a problem.
Even if it is covered and isolated from the ground, temperature and
humidity fluctuations, likely freeze-thaw (since this is in
Scotland), will all have permanent deleterious effects.  I agree
with Ron Stark in that several materials may be necessary to achieve
a long lasting result, and as with any outdoor sculpture (if this
"architectural feature" can be described as a "sculpture"),
maintenance will be required.

Cellulose nitrate won't last very long; even B-72 has been noted as
having problems in outdoor use.  Perhaps consolidation with a higher
molecular weight acrylic (Paraloid/Acryloid B-48n, B-44) followed by
a renewable surface coating (wax) might be the answer.

Stephen Koob
Department of Conservation and Scientific Research
Freer Gallery of Art
Smithsonian Institution
Washington DC 20560
202-357-4880 x276

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:27
                Distributed: Tuesday, September 19, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-9-27-002
                                  ***