Conservation of pith paper

Julia M. Landry <j.landry [at] ns__sympatico__ca> writes

>Does anyone have any experience working with Chinese pith paper,
>often mistakenly called rice paper.  I'd be interested to receive
>any information on its physical properties, etc.

I have carried out conservation of pith paintings by moisturizing
them slowly and slightly on sympatex and then lining them on L2
tissue, using wheat starch paste, then leaving the lined painting to
dry overnight freely, without any pressure or tension, the next day
again slight moisturizing on sympatex and taping then by the edges
of the lining material onto a drying board, avoiding tensioning and
pressure. If there is any interest I would be happy to share more
detailed documentation of the process. I myself am interested in any
historical background about the paintings, who might the authors
have been and the subjects depicted, an information that could
illustrate an exhibition.

Maris Arpo
Conservator of works on paper
Conservation Center KANUT
Tallinn, Estonia


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 13:56
                  Distributed: Wednesday, May 10, 2000
                       Message Id: cdl-13-56-004
                                  ***