ISBN 3-926982-79-9

the following abstracts are a choice from the articles of the book:

Abstract: In a study of the medieval textiles in the collection of the German National Museum 11 diferent types of metal threads were discovered. After explaining the scientific methods used in the examination the author catalogues the textiles according to the type of metal thread. For each textile the appearance of the thread is described as well as its production technique. Examples in other collections are also cited.

Abstract: The author describes the principles, characteristics and applications of the volatile consolidants cyclododecan, camphor and menthol, as well as the limitations and hazards associated with their use in textile conservation. They can be used during excavation, transportation, stabilisation and spot-cleaning of textile objects. The conservation of the bodies of St. Severin and St. Prosper from the parish church in Oberelchingen serves as an example of the numerous uses of these consolidants.

Abstract: The Lion Fabric from St.Servatius in Siegburg, dated 921-923, is one of the very few surviving large silk fabrics of Byzantine origin. The fabric was used in the shrine of St. Anno (died 1075) to cover the body of the saint. In 1901 it was removed from the shrine. The author traces the varied history of the fabric, supported by contemporary reports which also give an insight into textile conservation practice at the beginning of the 20th century. The fabric was thought to be lost after 1945 but was found in the Museum of Applied Art, Schloss Köpenick in East Berlin. It was returned to Siegburg in 1993 and underwent conservation treatment at the German Textile Museum in Krefeld. During the treatment it was possible with the help of technical analyses and old photographs to reconstruct the original arrangement of the lions. The fabric was treated to remove creases and conserved using a stitching technique. The present display in the treasury of St. Servatius complies with the most up-to-date conservation standards.

Abstract: One of the most valuable objects in the textile collection of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum is a doublet made in 1585. It was conserved for a temporary exhibition. The author describes not only the technical data concerning the object but also the conservation measures which included a custom-made inner padding to be used for display as well as storage. The padding made to fit the shape of the garment also supports the view that the doublet was made for a woman.

Abstract: The redesign and refurbishment of the study colletion in the Austrian Museum of Applied Art has also made provisions for temporary exhibitions. Temporary exhibits should fit quite easily into the existing show cases. The intentionally plain and simple show cases are well suited to the great variety of textile objects in the collection. The case histories of five exhibitions illustrate methods of displaying two and three dimensional textiles as well as describing solutions to particular problems.

Abstract: Prior to the exhibition of the Holy Coat in Trier in 1891 the relic underwent a thorough examination and restoration. This was viewed as an extraordinary event and was widely commented on by contemporaries. Existing reports as well as surviving documents from the restoration workshop permit an almost exact reconstruction of the restoration process. Since these documents are important for the history of textile conservation the results of the original examination and the subsequent restoration are described.

For further information contact Anne Wanner wanner@datacomm.ch