Painted indian textiles

Conservation work has begun on a large painted textile (Pichhavai)
attributed to the Kota school in Rajasthan. The National Gallery of
Australia's textile/painting depicts Krishna surrounded by Jain
ladies and measures approximately 3 x 3 meters. Organic and
inorganic pigments with a water soluble binder have been applied to
an unstretched substrate of finely woven cotton.

Small but regular areas of loss throughout the cotton substrate are
consistent with the location of jewellery worn by the ladies.
Evidence of green pigment can be seen around some of these areas of
loss. Pigment analysis is being undertaken to identify the pigments
used. The results of which will be critical in determining a method
of treatment which aims to stop fibre deterioration and prevent
further loss.

We are interested to hear if anyone has examples similar to this
textile in their collection. Any information pertaining to the
analysis or conservation of these textiles would be invaluable to
the research phase of this project. Do these painted textiles have
similar problems or is this an isolated incident? For further
information please contact:

    Jane Wild
    Conservator
    jane.wild [at] nga__gov__au

    Micheline Ford
    Senior Conservator
    micheline.ford [at] nga__gov__au

Textile Conservation
National Gallery of Australia
GPO Box 1150
Canberra ACT  2601
Australia
+61 2 62406685


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:36
                Distributed: Wednesday, February 8, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-36-020
                                  ***