Preservation of rubber figures

I am looking for information regarding the preservation of balata or
gutta-percha figurines.  It is my understanding that periodic (every
3 months) wetting of the figures is recommended for slowing the
oxidative degradation of the rubber?  Does anyone have experience
applying this preservation strategy and if so, are there any
specific recommendations, such as type of water and length of
immersion?  Does anyone know of another method, perhaps a less
labour intensive one, for the preservation of rubber figurines?

Gyllian Porteous
Queen's University, Master's Candidate in Art Conservation
Artifacts Stream, Class of 2016


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 30:2
                  Distributed: Saturday, May 28, 2016
                        Message Id: cdl-30-2-010
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