Re: Reaction of silk woven rug while testing with solvents

[K Hatziantoniou <khtextil@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear all,

I just came across something I have not seen previously and I need your opinion:
Before treating I tested a silk Islamic rug (16th c, very light-weight, extremely tight woven) for a possible solvent cleaning with IMS, acetone and also a 0,3% of Dehyphon in deionised water. The very soft rug became extremely rigid in these tested areas. In two days these areas became softer but never returned to their previous state. Unfortunately the rug has been purchased in auction and this part of its previous restoration treatment remains unknown (no documentation record exists). It must have been treated in USA considering its previous owner, in the 60s or 70s. After brief consultation the question of fire protection spraying of the rug was raised. 

Does anyone knows why a 100%silk rug may react on all the above solvents and washing detergent in such an extreme way?

Many thank you for your time and help

Konstantinos Chatziantoniou
Textile and Paper Conservator
Museum of Islamic Art
Al Corniche
Doha
P.O.Box 2777
Qatar
email: khatziantoniou@xxxxxxxxxx
Tel: +974 6980254
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