Illuminations

I'm working on an manuscript with 6 illuminations (15th century) and
I looking for a material to protect them which can not damage them
mechanically and chemically (e.g reaction with pigments?). Now they
are protected with silk that is quite damaged (not original). I
would like to know if a new piece of silk would be a good solution
with the advantage of being very smooth (no risk of abrasion) or
should I choose a good paper (silversafe for example)?

I don't think it is a good idea to keep the old silk especially if
it restored (lined for example); the contact with the illuminations
could be dangerous (abrasion). I also would like advice from a
textile conservator in the choice of a new silk and the treatment of
the old silk (lining).

Patricia Mouraud
paper and book conservator
Algemeen Rijksarchief
Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 20
2595 BE The Hague
The Netherlands
+31 70 3315528
Fax: +31 70 3315499


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:70
                  Distributed: Tuesday, April 16, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-15-70-018
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