[no subject]

["T. Rose Holdcraft" <tholdcr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 17:18:39 -0700 
From: "Holly Chase" <Holly.Chase@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <pestlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 

Greetings all !
 
My name is Holly Chase and I am the Museum Coordinator (and collections
manager/registrar) for a small, private Chinese art museum located in
Southern California. I hope that you can help me with some concerns
regarding a possible silverfish/moth infestation.
 
Last week I had found a large, healthy silverfish crawling on the fabric
of one of our display cases that currently houses 17th
-19th Century silk dragon robes. In a few weeks, we are
scheduled to install several 18-20th century scroll paintings,
which are very vulnerable to silverfish, in that same case. What?s more,
about 3 weeks ago I had found in a nearby case two dead web clothing
moths. I have since installed a moth pheromone lure in one case and a few
silverfish food baits in sticky traps in the other. As of yet, I have not
found other signs of infestation- yet I am still not fully convinced that
we are safe. Furthermore, at the end of this month the silk robes will be
taken down from display and placed into storage where we have several
delicate Chinese scroll paintings housed. I am clearly worried about the
possibility of an infestation and moving infested artworks into a new
area.
 
I had contacted one paper conservator who advised against fumigating the
robes explaining that fumigation tends to leave a chemical residue on
fabrics. Instead, she suggested finding an ?anoxia treatment chamber? but
didn?t know of anyone in the area who has one. 
 
Do any of you know of places in Southern California that have anoxia
treatment chambers? I would also like to know if you have any textile
conservators in the area whom you could recommend. I am thinking that we
may have to hire a conservator to come out to supervise the treatment.
 
I am also worried that we need to treat the tall display cases before we
install any new exhibitions. Unfortunately, these cases are built into
the walls of our gallery and cannot be removed. They are not air tight
either as there are gaps between the sheets of glass. Do you have any
advice as to how we should treat the cases? Is this something that a
conservator should and could oversee? 
 
Does finding one silverfish and a few dead moths justify treating all the
artwork and cases in that gallery? 
 
Any assistance or advice you can send me would be greatly appreciated. I
am sincerely in a bit of a panic for having found these pests and want to
make sure we act as quickly as possible.
 
Sincerely, 
Holly Chase
 
 

Holly C. Chase 

Museum Coordinator (collections manager/registrar)

Phone: (310) 222-9219 

Email:
holly.chase@xxxxxxxxxxxx or
hollycchase@xxxxxxxxx