Consolidating leather

From: Dana Moffett <*dmoffett<-a*> Date: Friday, February 11, 2005 · dmoffett<-a

We are treating an African tunic constructed in a patchwork fashion
using squares of both textile and leather.  The leather exhibits
symptoms of red rot--powdery with loss in the grain layer--and
requires consolidation.  A survey of the literature and Consdist
Archives indicates that either Beva 371 or Klucel G are the favored
consolidants for deteriorating leather. Unfortunately, the Beva
consolidant significantly darkens the leather in this piece.

My question is this: in spite of Feller and Wilt's 1990 study
indicating the long-term instability of Klucel G, is it still
considered the best treatment choice for powdery leather?

Dana Moffett
Senior Conservator
National Museum of African Art
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Washington DC  20013-7012
202-633-4614

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:39
                 Distributed: Friday, February 18, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-18-39-048
                                  ***