2 A CONSERVATION TREATMENT FOR LEATHER FROM THE DEFENCE

AT THE TIME of recovery from this site, the leather was often soft and flexible; or stiff and inflexible when encrusted with metallic deposits (principally iron). The surface of the leather varied in appearance from smooth and well preserved to worn and disrupted. When severely deteriorated, the leather's surface had been reduced to very fine particles which were powdery when dry. The objective of the conservation treatment presented below was to stabilize and consolidate the leather without sacrificing its natural softness and flexibility, and to restore these qualities to leather which had been encrusted with metallic salts.