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Dear Mrs Ballard Checked the spots under microscope and got some photographs. In some of the spots, around the white centre there is a larger spread black area as a ring. Before sending them i will need permission. Overall the spots look like snowflakes. I scraped some samples and place them in deionised water: they do not dissolve. While scraping them some 'dust' came up but they were relatively solid. pH of water was 5, with samples in became 6. They were on a acid free beige, corrugated type, box. Holes were only at the top to assemble the flat board into a box as usual. The box was stored (for the past year approximately) in open selves along with other boxes. I do not have information on the previous hsitory of storage as this is the first time I see these costumes myself. They should be in this country for no less than 7 years approximately. Not sure if they were treated, although they are not with soiling from the gorund thus they were wet treated after excavation and before bought by the museum. Note: one of them was in a metalic chest plant, in a drawer next to other costumes which do not have any sign of mould spots. I will examine them under UV light in couple of days. Sample will be send for analysis to identify the type of mould. The colour on the areas with spots have changed (enzyme deposited there probably) and ethyl alcohol does not cause dye bleeding. Freezing is a possibility but not in a conservation standard freezer. Thank you for your help Konstantinos MIA Qatar Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:08:18 -0500 From: BallardM@xxxxxx Subject: Re: Mould infestation on excavated ancient costumes To: TEXCONS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Konstantinos: You have looked at the white spots under the microscope? Can you scrap a few off and see if they dissolve in water? Have a pH? What kind of a box? Where was the box stored? Send us a photo? Mary
Mary W. Ballard Senior Textiles Conservator, Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution 4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland MD 20746 U.S.A. tel: 301-238-1210 fax: 301-238-3709 email ballardm@xxxxxx From: Textile Conservators [mailto:TEXCONS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of K Hatziantoniou
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