Conservation of rush seating

I am presently working on a small Charles Rennie Mackintosh chair
from one of the Glasgow Tearooms, towards display in Kelvingrove
Museum. It has a rectangular rush drop in seat, the rush is woven
from the centre around an oak frame. It is in a fairly good
condition structurally, although several strands are broken with
parts missing and some strands are loose, this is mostly
concentrated on the base of the seat. The rush is very dusty and
dirty throughout. Does anyone with experience of rush work know the
best means of securing and stabilising the broken strands and a safe
and effective method of cleaning away the majority of the dust and
dirt without stripping the rush of its colour? I would greatly
appreciate any advice on this matter. Many thanks

Lindsay Gordon
Assistant Conservator of Furniture and Frames
Glasgow Museums and Galleries
Martyrs School
Parson Street
Townhead
Glasgow G4OPX
+44 1412718332


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:24
               Distributed: Wednesday, November 24, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-18-24-014
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