Argelac

Caroline Fry <cfry [at] vicnet__net__au>

>The curator found samples of "Argelac", in fabric bags inside the
>travelling crates.  The origin of the material appears to be
>Germany, as all the information on the bags is in German. The
>curator believes that "Argelac" is a moisture/ humidity absorbing
>material.

Argelac is indeed a moisture absorbing material. I have no personal
experience with it, but know that it is produced in France, by
Elf-Atochem. Elf-Atochem has an internet-page
<URL:http://www.elf-atochem.fr/groupe/gb/f_elf.cfm> on which Argelac
is listed as a dehydrating clay. According to Elf-Atochem Argelac is
sold by Ceca, one of the companies belonging to the Elf Atochem
Group. Ceca also has a page on the internet: (www.ceca.fr).
Unfortunately this page does not give any information about Argelac,
but I am sure if you contact Ceca they can answer your questions.
Their address is: Ceca, Immeuble Iris, 92062 Paris- La Defense
Cedex, France. You can email for information goes to:
pascale.moulin [at] ceca__elf-atochem__fr I hope this information is
helpful to you.

Maartje Witlox
Conservation department
Royal Cabinet of Paintings
Mauritshuis
Korte Vijverberg 8
2513 AB Den Haag
+31 70 3 02 34 60
Fax: +31 70 3 65 38 19


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 13:58
                   Distributed: Friday, May 19, 2000
                       Message Id: cdl-13-58-006
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