Storage of bone

With regard to the Slovenian flute, I think this is an interesting
problem, but needs to be dealt with in a different manner than much
of our on-line discussions which consist of helpful suggestions.
This is truly an important object--it even made a big splash in the
New York Times--and its preservation is obviously important, but in
this case the future use of the object needs to find a peaceful
coexistence with its preservation.  There is no point in putting it
into an RH-controlled box if it is going to be taken out all the
time, or if there is no real understanding of the nature of its
reported present deterioration, which would in turn suggest the
level of RH that would best preserve it. The question of producing a
cast replica should also be discussed. In other words, this is a
multi-faceted problem which requires an interdisciplinary approach.
A group of people including those with technical expertise in
conservation and those with a research interest in the object need
to get together to discuss all of these questions at the same time.
It may help to have some technical work on the piece completed
first, like analysis of efflorescence, if that is the nature of its
present problems.  Minutes should be taken of the meeting and
subsequent discussion archived.  The meeting should be concluded
with specific recommendations for action and if possible a follow-up
meeting or at least a sharing of written material.  Projects like
this are clearly the best method for responsible stewardship of an
object of world-wide interest. The resulting publicity is also
gratifying and very good for the institutions and individuals that
sponsor them.

B. Appelbaum

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:70
                Distributed: Thursday, February 12, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-11-70-001
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