Commemorative loaf of french bread

Susan Blakney <susan [at] westlakeconservators__com> writes

>How can one preserve a magnificently sculpted/decorated country
>French loaf (round, about 2.2 kilos, composed of almost-whole
>wheat--French type 110--, water, salt, and a natural leaven, known
>to some as sour dough). It was fashioned in France to commemorate a
>grand occasion here in Ithaca, NY and we would like to preserve it
>beyond the natural "staling" life of the loaf. Can it be varnished,
>stained or otherwise treated? Given our lack of dexterity and
>experience, we need sage advice and a simple solution.

The main problems are moisture/fungus and insects. I think the best
solution would be to store it in an oxygen free barrier bag and
remove the oxygen with scavengers.

You will want to see the item so the best material to use is Escal
which has a ceramic coating to block moisture as well as oxygen. MGC
Escal is available as a gusseted bag or as sheets or tubes which can
be formed into a bag. The anoxic environment is created by MGC RP
system oxygen scavengers which will remove the oxygen inside the bag
and create an environment where mould will not grow and insects
cannot survive.

It is a subject close to my heart as many years ago an artist friend
of mine made me some bread formed as shapely naked ladies. I
preferred to look at them but the insects in my apartment preferred
to eat them. Unfortunately I did not know about anoxic storage at
that time.

The MGC ESCAL and RP scavengers(RP =Revolutionary Preservation) are
available from Conservation By Design and other companies
specialising in anoxic storage materials.

Stuart M. Welch
Development Director
Conservation By Design Limited
Timecare Works
5 Singer Way
Kempston
Bedford MK42 7AW
United Kingdom
+44-1234-853 555
Mobile: +44 7836 263 270
Fax: +44 1234 852 334


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:30
                 Distributed: Sunday, December 19, 2010
                       Message Id: cdl-24-30-011
                                  ***