Research projects

Project description

Many museums consume large amounts of energy to maintain tight tolerances on temperature and relative humidity. This may enhance preservation conditions; however, the downside is the increased environmental impact and economic cost. The conservation profession would benefit from a greater understanding of the degree of risk facing collections when broader fluctuations are permitted for specific materials. Acoustic emission (AE) testing is an analytical technique that shows considerable promise to support decisions regarding environmental control for heritage collections.

A multi-channel acoustic emission system will be used to assess the physical impact of a fluctuating museum environment on wooden objects using the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines as a control framework. An examination of previously environmentally damaged wood joinery samples will establish a selection of joint designs with a wide range of vulnerability to fluctuations. These samples will also be used for prototyping the test method, while pristine samples are made for refined testing. The new samples will then be subjected to varied environmental cycles, with the emission response monitored against RH fluctuations, and duration of exposure, using broadband AE sensors that detect in the frequency range emitted by wood fracture (~100 kHz to 300 kHz). The work may also include in situ monitoring of a museum object as a complementary case study, using a separate two-channel system with similar configuration. The results of this work will complement related studies at other international organizations, including an ongoing study at the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) involving a variety of objects exposed to humidity fluctuations. A collaborative effort involving AE testing will help generate broader conclusions regarding the effects of the museum environment, since the range of materials and structures in museums is vast.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Eric Hagan

Project team

Anne-Stéphanie Etienne

Links/Partnerships

Michal Lukomski (Getty Conservation Institute)

Presentations

Hagan, E., and S. Michalski. “Applying Acoustic Emission Analysis at CCI: An Investigation of Damage to Sample Wood Structures During RH Fluctuations in a Climate Simulator.” Lecture presented at the Acoustic Emission Experts Meeting, Getty Conservation Institute. Los Angeles, CA, November 13–14, 2017.

Hagan, Eric W.S. "Acoustic Emission Analysis of Humidity-Induced Damage to Model Wood Structures." Talk presented at the Research and Technical Studies Group, 47th Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation. Uncasville, CT, May 13–17, 2019.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

129183

Project description

Many hazards to collections arise from tectonic, weather, wildfire, and geographic factors which accentuate hazards such as flood. These are severe events which threaten to undo all the good of preservation work. GIS makes examining these hazards tractable. The apparent randomness of these events is reduced by using a continental approach to assessment that fits with CCI's national mandate for assistance in preserving cultural property. This GIS database will be a key resource for CCI and Canadian cultural heritage institutions to help assess their risk profile.

Data on these events exists in GIS amenable format by Canadian agencies that protect property and life. Tools which are becoming available for seismic assessment, wood structure service life, climate change impacts, atmospheric datasets on pollutant gases and particulates utilize GIS databases. CCI can generate values for major risks to institutions with a GIS approach, can make these tools available to assist individual institutions, and can examine vulnerability at the portfolio level.

National energy programs use degree day maps for calculating heating and air conditioning. These resources can help institutions design their interior climate guidelines (ASHRAE). GIS based modelling can examine the relevant factors and range of costs associated with meeting these guidelines.

Through geo-locating the cultural resources of Canada, the magnitudes and return periods of threats to individual institutions and across the portfolio of institutions CCI assists will be made available. This resource will become available to CCI and its clients.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Tom Strang

Presentations

Strang, T. “The Big Picture: A Geographic Information System (GIS) of Hazards to Canadian museums / L’ensemble de la situation : un système d'information géographique (SIG) des dangers pour les musées canadiens.” Paper presented in the session “Risk to Restoration: Game Changers in Risk and Restoration for Museums in a Digital World” at the Canadian Museums Association National Conference. Ottawa, ON, April 4–7, 2017.

Strang, T. “Developing a GIS of Hazards for Canadian Cultural Institutions.” Talk presented at the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections 33rd Annual Meeting. Dunedin, New Zealand, August 25 to September 1, 2018.

Strang, T. “Developing a GIS of Hazards for Canadian Cultural Institutions.” Lecture presented to Conservation Science Division staff at the Kyushu National Museum. Dazaifu, Japan, September 13, 2018.

Strang, T. “Developing a GIS of Hazards for Canadian Cultural Institutions.” Lecture presented to Conservation Science Division staff at the National Museum of Ethnology. Osaka, Japan, September 19, 2018.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

129090

Project description

The purpose of this project is to study the natural aging of papers used in the ASTM/ISR Paper Aging Research Program. These papers are stored in 10 facilities across North America, including the CCI library. Samples are to be removed at various time intervals between 2000 and 2098, and sent to CCI, the US Library of Congress, the Image Permanence Institute, and the US Forest Products Laboratory for testing. CCI has agreed to perform tensile strength, zero-span tensile, and tearing resistance tests.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Diogenes Vedoy

Project team

Paul Bégin

Links/Partnerships

Daniel Burge (Rochester Institute of Technology), Jeanette Adams (Library of Congress), Alan Rudie (United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service)

Canadian Conservation Institute number

120400

Project description

Purpose: (1) To quantify color change of birchbark exposed to (1A) light or (1B) solvent vapours; (2) to investigate extent of plastic memory and whether varying pressure, time under constraint, or curvature under constraint are effective at reducing plastic memory when carrying out flattening/reshaping treatments.

Rationale and method

Part 1A, Light: Empirically, we know that birchbark on the cambium side fades when exposed to light (faded objects have been seen), but precise data is not known. The UV contribution is not known. Birchbark varies in colour (deep orange to yellow), and it is not known if all shades fade equally. Risk assessment is difficult without quantified data. Microfading will be used for preliminary screening of samples, then samples will be exposed in CCI light boxes to just noticeable fade and several increments beyond, then colourimetric measurements will be carried out. The experiment will then be repeated with window exposure and data-loggers to get visible light with a UV component.

Part 1B, Solvent vapours: Exposing birchbark to methanol or ethanol vapours is a common reshaping treatment (Gilbert, Studies in Conservation 1986 pp. 177–184). Gilbert found that discolouration using ethanol was “much less” than with other solvents (acetone), and it was “minimized” using methanol, but this was not quantified. Other authors (Anastassiades, JCAC 2001 pp. 15–26) have cautioned about discolouration when exposing to liquid solvents (e.g. cleaning or adhesion treatments) without quantifying. This research would provide quantitative data with colourimetric measurements.

Part 2, Plastic memory: birchbark has a plastic memory when reshaped with solvent vapours: it eventually partially curls, back but the extent is not quantified. Also, parameters that could minimize this are not known. This research would quantify the recurling in percentages and investigate parameters (time under constraint, curvature and pressure applied).

Intended users: conservators carrying out birchbark treatments; museums displaying birchbark.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Carole Dignard

Project team

Season Tse, Sonia Kata, Megan Narvey, Jennifer Poulin, Eric J. Henderson

Links/Partnerships

Daniel Pinock Smith, Anishinabeg canoe crafstman

Publications

Dignard, C., S. Tse, S. Kata and J. Poulin. “A Comparison of Ethanol and Methanol Vapour Treatments for Reshaping Birch Bark.” In J. Bridgland, ed., ICOM-CC 18th Triennial Conference, Copenhagen, 4–8 September, 2017: Preprints. Paris, France: International Council of Museums, 2017.

Tse, S., C. Dignard, S. Kata and E. J. Henderson. “A Study of the Light Sensitivity of Birch Bark.” Studies in Conservation 63 (2018), pp. 423–440.

Presentations

Dignard, Carole, Season Tse and Sonia Kata. “A Study of the Light Sensitivity of Birch Bark Part 1: Exposure to Visible Light (no UV).” Poster presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation, Miami, FL, May 14–17, 2015.

Dignard, C., S. Tse, S. Kata and J. Poulin. “A Study of Birch Bark Properties: Light Discoloration, Solvent Vapour Discoloration and Reshaping, and Plastic Memory.” Talk presented at the Gordon Research Conference: Scientific Methods in Cultural Heritage Research. Newry, ME, July 31 to August 8, 2016.

Dignard, C., S. Tse, S. Kata and J. Poulin. “A Comparison of Ethanol and Methanol Vapour Treatments for Reshaping Birch Bark.” Paper presented at the ICOM-CC 18th Triennial Conference. Copenhagen, Denmark, September 4–8, 2017.

Dignard, C., S. Tse, E.J. Henderson and S. Kata. “A Study on Light Discoloration of Birchbark.” Talk presented at the 44th Annual Canadian Association for Conservation Conference. Kingston, ON, May 10–12, 2018.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

126702

Project description

This research project will improve the understanding of early synthetic colours through identification and characterisation using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and lightfastness testing of representative materials under conditions similar to the museum environment.

The rapid invention of synthetic dyes began when Perkins created Mauveine in1856, and over 1,200 were included in the first edition of the Colour Index (1924). Synthetic colours are currently present in many heritage collection materials, from textiles to coloured plastics. Many of the early colours were highly light sensitive, and are now significantly degraded from past exposure. Information compiled from census data, contemporaneous texts, and experts in the conservation field has identified a subset of popular early synthetic colourants. Focussing on approximately 100 common dyes discovered prior to 1900, work will be conducted to identify the dyes using GC-MS, and to test the lightfastness of textile specimens dyed in the 19th century using a CCI-developed fadometer.

The results of the project will be configured to enable broad access, including a universally-accessible mass spectral library. This will assist other researchers attempting to identify synthetic colourants, and interpret the associated risks from light exposure. It will also facilitate knowledge transfer to the broader conservation community.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Eric Hagan

Project team

Jennifer Poulin, Itxel Castro-Soto, Marianne Breault

Canadian Conservation Institute number

131050

Project description

In the last few decades, there is a great interest in North America and in Europe on the monitoring of pollutants in archives. After focusing on outdoor pollutants, such as ozone, NOX and SO2, new interest is rising to monitor indoor generated pollutants from products as well as from the collection itself. As indoor pollutants get analyzed, the need to know their impact on paper–based collections becomes a priority. In 2000, CCI showed that high levels of acetic acid can affect cellulose. In 2009, CCI and Centre de recherche sur la conservation des collections put their resources together to identify the impact of more common carbonyls released by the degradation of papers. This new information can help archives to optimize their strategies of preservation for their paper-based collections.

This research will allow archives to better focus on which indoor pollutants are the most harmful and which should be better controlled in their collections for acidic and non-acidic papers.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Jean Tétreault

Project team

Paul Bégin, Season Tse, Scott Williams, Diogenes Vedoy

Links/Partnerships

Anne-Laurence Dupont (Centre de recherche sur la conservation des collections)

Publications

Tétreault, J., A.-L. Dupont, P. Bégin and S. Paris. “The Impact of Volatile Compounds Released by Paper on Cellulose Degradation in Ambient Hygrothermal Conditions.” Polymer Degradation and Stability 98 (2013), pp. 1827–1837.

Dupont A.-L., D. Réau, P. Bégin, S. Paris-Lacombe, J. Tétreault and G. Morthac. “Accurate Molar Masses of Cellulose for the Determination of Degradation Rates in Complex Paper Samples.” Carbohydrate Polymers 202 (December 2018), pp. 172–185.

Tétreault, J., P. Bégin, S. Paris-Lacombe and A.-L. Dupont. "Modelling Considerations for the Degradation of Cellulosic Paper." Cellulose 26 (2019), pp. 2013–2033.

Presentations

Dupont, Anne-Laurence, Jean Tétreault, Paul Bégin and S. Paris. “Carbonyl Vapors and Their Impact on Paper Degradation.” Paper presented at the Cost Action D42 Conference: Impact of the Indoor Environment on the Preservation of our Moveable Heritage. Dublin, Ireland, November 9, 2010.

Dupont, Anne-Laurence, Jean Tétreault, Paul Bégin and S. Paris. ''The Impact of Carbonyl Vapours and Hydrogen Peroxide on Cellulose Degradation." Paper presented at the Indoor Air Quality Conference. London, UK, June 2012.

Tétreault. J. and A.-L. Dupont. "Degradation of Paper Under Various Adverse Environmental Conditions." Paper presented at the Indoor Air Quality Conference. Prague, Czech Republic, April 2014.

Tétreault, J., P. Bégin and A.-L. Dupont. "Degradation of Paper Under Adverse Environmental Conditions: Modelling Considerations." Talk presented at the American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition. Denver, CO, March 26, 2015.

Tétreault, J., A.-L. Dupont, P. Bégin and S. Paris. "Degradation of Paper Under Adverse Environmental Conditions: Modelling Considerations and Calibration with Experimental Data." Paper presented at the Indoor Air Quality Conference, Birmingham, UK, March 2016.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

120135

Project description

The purpose of this project is the discovery and evaluation of software tools and possible low cost equipment that can be used to evaluate media health and recover information from damaged or deteriorated media.

As institutions begin to evaluate the condition of the electronic media stored in their collections, the need for reliable and affordable analysis techniques are increasing. Often, electronic media appears to be in good condition, but without playing and analyzing the media, one would have no idea about the true readability of the information carrier. This research study will search for and evaluate the use of new software programs and equipment for determining media health. The project would not only focus on optical discs but also on other media types such as floppy diskettes, hard drives, and magnetic tapes. Another related issue is the recovery of information from problematic carriers. There are different types of software that can extract information from unplayable electronic media. A variety of these tools will be evaluated for effectiveness.

This type of study will benefit any institution that collects electronic storage media. The emphasis will be on free or very inexpensive tools so that this solution would be viable for all. Results will be integrated into the modern information carriers workshop and in a CCI web document.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Joe Iraci

Publications

Iraci, J. Error Analysis and File Recovery Software for Digital Storage Media. CCI Notes 19/2. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Conservation Institute, 2019.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

129851

Project description

This project was designed to quantify and qualify the dimensional changes of wood exposed to bulk consolidating agents and their solvents.

Project goals are to establish dimensional changes related to specific solvents and consolidants using different wood species; to establish, if possible, a predicting factor or factors that can be used to anticipate the response of wood to a particular consolidant and its solvent; to determine the interrelationship between solvent and consolidant in the dimensional change of wood; and to determine, if possible, a system of bulk consolidation that will result in minimal to no dimensional change to wood. Anticipated benefits include recommendations for the best combination of solvent/consolidant that will minimize dimensional change as a result of bulk consolidation of damaged wooden artifacts.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Wendy Baker

Publications

Baker, W., and D. Grattan. “Search for a Dimension-Neutral Effect in the Solvent Treatment of Wood.” In A. Phenix and S.A. Chui, eds., Facing the Challenges of Panel Paintings Conservation: Trends, Treatments, and Training, Proceedings from the Symposium Facing the Challenges of Panel Paintings Conservation: Trends, Treatments, and Training, The Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA, 17–18 May, 2009. Los Angeles, CA: Getty Conservation Institute, 2009, pp. 195–196.

Baker, W., and D. Grattan. “Dimensional Changes of Wood Immersed in Different Consolidant Agents.” In Symposium 2011, Adhesives and Consolidants for Conservation: Research and Applications. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Conservation Institute, 2011.

Presentations

Baker, Wendy, and David Grattan. "Mapping and Predicting the Action of Organic Solvents on Wood: Search for a Dimension-Neutral Effect." Paper presented at the Wooden Artifacts Group, 38th Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation. Milwaukee, WI, May 11–14, 2010.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

86045

Project description

The goal of this project is to devise a visual inspection protocol and treatment regime that allows collection staff to protect collections from pest damage despite the lack of in-cabinet chemical protectants. With the elimination of in-cabinet protectants through banning or removal of naphthalene, dichlorvos (DDVP), etc., millions of natural history specimens are becoming dependent on cabinet integrity and other layers of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach for protection. This project was developed as a long-term study in 1994 when the two researchers recognized the need to acquire and publish economic components to suggested practices in IPM. An intensity scale for appraising infestation levels in cabinets was developed and, within this scale, an action level at which to treat infested material was set.

The Mammalogy Division staff incorporated the inspection protocol into their annual work and participated in a ten-year study that recorded pest, location, severity and time spent in carrying out the inspection. A database was developed to house the information and facilitate analysis of the results. One of the outcomes to date has been assessment of cabinet type against repetitive infestation frequency to demonstrate the need for replacing particular cabinet types as part of the mammalogy collection-rehousing plan. The extended cost of keeping ineffective cabinets in terms of cumulative specimen damage and staff effort in treating subsequent infestations could be quantified.

The targeted audience is anyone considering having staff visually inspect for pest problems in collections on a thorough, annual basis, or anyone who needs information on the time involved and the efficacy of the inspection process in order to decide if the measured benefit would justify applying our protocol to their situation.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Tom Strang

Links/Partnerships

Jeremy Jacobs (National Museum of the American Indian)

Publications

Strang, T., and J. Jacobs. “Seeing is Believing, A Fourteen-year Study on Efficacy and Economics of Visual Inspections to Protect a Large Mammal Collection from Insect Pests.” Collection Forum 32 (2018), pp. 59–90.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

85852

Project description

To develop a tool that estimates the risk of mechanical damage to a collection, due to temperature and humidity fluctuations.

The guidelines for RH and temperature fluctuations are being re-examined, particularly for sustainability (e.g. Rethinking the Museum Climate, April 12-13, 2010, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and IIC/AIC Panel: The Plus/Minus Dilemma, Milwaukee, May13, 2010). The major sticking point is uncertainty about the uniform restraint model used by scientists to predict the response to fluctuations. In fact, this simple model does not represent "high sensitivity" objects where the structure causes stress concentration.

For 25 years, we have had a lot of mechanical data for materials such as paint, glue and wood from the perspective of time, temperature and humidity. What we did not have until recently was a user-friendly software that could absorb all of this data in a complex model, and apply variability simultaneously.

CCI has been developing capacity in Analytica, a software tool used in risk analysis to model exactly this sort of problem. A proof-of-concept model has been developed. It now needs to be refined and populated with the data. In summary, it will be a model that can combine the "uniform restraint model" plus all of the available data, plus add the users' key concern of variability.

Users of the model (which can be run by anyone using a free run-time version of the software) will be conservation scientists and conservators who wish to explore "what-if" scenarios as they adjust, or add, material properties and assembly types.

Users of the results of the model will be the entire conservation community, if it hopes to reach a consensus on expressions of risk for a mixed collection subjected to various ranges of fluctuations.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Stefan Michalski

Publications

Michalski, S. “Stuffing Everything We Know About Mechanical Properties into One Collection Simulation.” In J. Ashley-Smith, A. Burmester and M. Eibl, eds., Climate for Collections: Standards and Uncertainties. London, UK: Archetype Publications, 2013, pp. 346–361.

Michalski, S. “The Power of History in the Analysis of Collection Risks from Climate Fluctuations and Light.” In J. Bridgland, ed., ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference, Melbourne, 15–19 September 2014: Preprints. Paris, France: ICOM Committee for Conservation, 2014.

Michalski, S. "Climate Guidelines for Heritage Collections: Where We Are in 2014 and How We Got Here." In Sarah Stauderman and William G. Tompkins, eds., Proceedings of the Smithsonian Institution Summit on the Museum Preservation Environment. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press, 2016, p. 7–33.

Presentations

Michalski, S. “Stuffing Everything We Know About Mechanical Properties into One Collection Simulation.” Paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Climate Change. Munich, Germany, November 7–9, 2012.

Michalski, S. “The Power of History in the Analysis of Collection Risks from Climate Fluctuations and Light.” Paper presented at ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference. Melbourne, Australia, September 15–19, 2014.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

121234

Project description

The purpose of this project is to develop pest population models as a method to generate information on the relative and absolute risks pests pose to collections, based on species found, and to reduce the uncertainty posed by the incomplete nature of pest findings from trapping or inspection.

This research also supports work on the estimation of object vulnerability to pests, considering that pest population dynamics drive the extent of losses. The methods to estimate pest risk are either estimates of extant numbers that are often inestimable without using mark recapture trapping or they are projected potential numbers from population growth rates that are dependent on environment.

Insect trapping has now become a standard part of integrated pest management, yet there is still some confusion about the utility of insect trap data. The focus to date has been more on determining locality than on estimating a change in rough numbers. The utility of sporadic findings common to trap programs can be increased by calculating potential harm (risk) based on species' fecundity and population response to environment. Little work has been done in this area to date and there are only a few publications on the rate of consumption of objects by pests.

This research would be used by other pest researchers in the near term, and the models and their results would be used to inform conservators and collections managers on how best to handle and minimize pest infestations.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Tom Strang

Links/Partnerships

Rika Kigawa (National Research Institute for Cultural Properties)

Publications

Strang, T. “The Use of Thermal Control Against Insect Pests of Cultural Property.” In F.H. Arthur, R. Kengkanpanich, W. Chayaprasert and D. Suthisut, eds., Proceedings of the 11th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 24–28 November, 2014. N.p.: n.p., 2014.

Presentations

Strang, T. “Pest Insect Population Growth Estimates as a Measure of Relative and Absolute Risk to Collections.” Talk presented at the International Conference on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Museums, Archives and Historic Houses. Vienna, Austria, June 5–7, 2013.

Strang, T. “Toward Pest Insect Population Growth Estimates as a Measure of Relative and Absolute Risk to Collections.” Talk presented at MuseumPests 2014: Integrated Pest Management for Museums, Libraries, Archives and Historic Sites. Williamsburg, VA, March 27–28, 2014.

Strang, T. “The Use of Thermal Control Against Insect Pests of Cultural Property.” Talk presented at the 11th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection. Chiang Mai, Thailand, November 24–28, 2014.

Strang, T. “Population Dynamics: Lessons for IPM Trapping and Inspection Programs.” Lecture presented to staff of the Kyushu National Museum. Dazaifu, Japan, October 25, 2017.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

125320

Project description

The purpose of this research project is to establish integrated research, treatment and dissemination activities to support decision-making around display of collections in non-museum spaces, including adapted tools based on risk. The research project will assess the magnitude of risks to which collection objects are exposed when displayed in non-museum spaces. The results of risk analysis will be used to build tools to enable heritage professions to make sound risk-based decisions on the preservation and access of their collections in relation to such display.

Currently, heritage professionals respond to the pressure to engage in non-museum display with anxiety since the chance for things to go wrong and for collection objects to be damaged is certainly present. Clients expressed their need for information related to such display during consultations that informed CCI’s 2015-2020 strategic plan. We have no data or systematic analysis of the magnitude of risks associated with non-museum display or the difference in risk between display within and outside museums or art galleries. Data would be gathered through meetings with professionals and from collection records where available across several institutions who are participating in non-museum display (e.g. art banks and university collections as well as traditional museums) so that the results are more likely to be generalizable.

The results of the research would inform tools to facilitate decision making by museum administrators, curators, conservators and collections managers around display of collections outside the museum.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Irene Karsten

Project team

Itxel Castro-Soto, Marianne Breault

Links/Partnerships

Sarah Patterson (City of Ottawa), Amy Jenkins (Canada Council for the Arts)

Canadian Conservation Institute number

130562

Project description

Silver dips are getting a bad reputation in the conservation community because of reports that silver alloys or gilded silver retarnish more quickly after they have been cleaned with a dip. These dips contain thiourea (a complexing agent) as well as a strong acid (e.g., phosphoric, sulfuric, or hydrochloric). Retarnishing has been blamed on residual adsorbed thiourea left on the surface. Another concern is porosity that may develop on silver after repeated cycles of tarnishing followed by cleaning with a dip; this porosity may affect the tarnishing rate by increasing the surface area or trapping thiourea in the pores. The goals of this research project are to determine if (1) residual thiourea can be removed by rinsing, (2) residual thiourea causes visible tarnishing on silver as it ages, (3) porosity affects tarnishing by hydrogen sulfide (with and without residual thiourea), and (4) residual thiourea contributes to an increase in tarnishing by hydrogen sulfide (i.e. acts as a catalyst).

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Lyndsie Selwyn

Canadian Conservation Institute number

129062

Project description

The purpose of this project is to provide archives and libraries with an indication of which discs are good quality, and it will verify claims that manufacturers are making about their products.

Experiments on the disaster recovery of optical discs have indicated quite a bit of variability between different discs. This variability may also exist in terms of the longevity of discs. In this project, CDs will be tested according to standards to determine their variability in longevity and allow disc types to be ranked for relative stability. Similar experiments will also be performed on VHS tapes.

A variety of discs will be tested (audio CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, s, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs). The discs will be aged at 80°C and 85% RH for intervals of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 hours. The Block Error Rate (BLER), as well as other key parameters, will be monitored. This will allow the relative comparison of stabilities between different types of discs. Actual lifetime values will not be determined because this would require a much longer time frame to complete and require extensive resources.

Users are archives, libraries, museums or any institution that collects information on these information carriers.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Joe Iraci

Publications

Iraci, Joe. "The Relative Stabilities of Optical Disc Formats." Restaurator 26 (2005), pp. 134–150.

Iraci, Joe. "The Stability of DVDs Optical Disc Formats." Restaurator 32 (2011), pp. 39–59.

Iraci, J. “Longevity of Optical Disc Media: Accelerated Ageing Predictions and Natural Ageing Data.” Restaurator 38 (September 2017), pp. 273–298.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

83365

Project description

This project will investigate the suitability of flash media, such as memory sticks, memory cards, and flash drives, for the long-term storage of digital information.

Flash storage formats are completely different than tape and optical discs and, with many devices utilizing this technology, flash storage is in widespread use today. Flash storage is currently more expensive than many other types of storage media, but the cost per GB is falling every year. This, along with its ease of use, small size, and overall convenience, is making it attractive as a storage medium.

By all accounts, flash media is very durable, but there is no significant amount of information with regards to its long-term stability. This format is generally not intended to be used as a long term storage format, but rather one to move information from one device to another. However, as has happened with other types of storage media, this format will find its way into collecting institutions, and will be used as a long-term storage format when it becomes cost effective to do so. Information on flash media needs to be made available to collecting institutions so that they can be made aware of how to deal with it.

A project on flash media would involve examining the literature in order to acquire details on the structure, deterioration, longevity, storage and handling of this format, and to find information on analysis equipment and/or software for flash media evaluation. The results of this literature search may lead to the design of a research project examining the stability of the media.

Any archive, library, museum, etc., may collect, or consider the use of, this type of media, and it is necessary to have information on hand to provide to these clients. Information acquired through the literature or research can be used to create a variety of online documents for the CCI website and will be used to update the Modern Information Carriers Workshop material.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Joe Iraci

Publications

Iraci, Joe. “Suitability of Flash Media for the Long-Term Storage of Information.” Restaurator 40,2 (June 2019), pp. 97–122.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

122142

Project description

The purpose of the project is to assess the extent to which Cambridge White was used by Canadian artists by carrying out analysis on a large selection of paintings in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada using primarily non-destructive techniques.

Previous research at CCI showed that Tom Thomson and artists from the Group of Seven made extensive use of a white pigment that consists of a mixture of lead sulfate and zinc white combined in specific proportions; the pigment was named Freeman’s White based on the name of the patent holder. It has not yet been found in works of other artists, Canadian or foreign. Therefore its presence in a painting tentatively attributed to Thomson or The Group of Seven is considered a positive element.

Subsequent research showed that the white paint used by these artists was Cambridge Colours’ New Flake White (also called Cambridge White) produced in England by Madderton & Co. and distributed in Canada by The Artists’ Supply Co. in Toronto. This raised the question of the use of the paint by other Canadian artists during the period the paint was commercially available, i.e. 1891 to 1943.

Users of the outcome of the projects are curators, conservators, scientists, art historians, law enforcement agencies and collectors.

CCI project leader

Marie-Claude Corbeil

Project team

Eric J. Henderson

Links/Partnerships

Sue Walker (National Gallery of Canada), Doris E. Couture-Rigert (National Gallery of Canada), Stephen Gritt (National Gallery of Canada)

Canadian Conservation Institute Number

131015

Project description

The purpose of the project is to analyze the materials and document the techniques used by J.E.H. MacDonald (1873-1932) in order to build a database, which will assist in devising treatments and selecting appropriate display and storage conditions for his works. The project will also provide reference analyses for paintings where attribution is questioned.

A representative selection of paintings will be examined and samples will be taken for analysis using various methods.

Users of the work are curators, conservators, scientists, art historians, artists, law enforcement agencies, collectors and the general public in Canada.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Kate Helwig

Project team

Elizabeth Moffatt, Dominique Duguay, Jennifer Poulin, Paul Bégin, Maeve Moriarty, Kamila Bladek and Clémentine Mansas

Links/Partnerships

Alison Douglas (McMichael Canadian Art Collection), Katerina Atanassova (formerly McMichael Canadian Art Collection), Janine Butler (McMichael Canadian Art Collection)

Publications

Helwig, K., E. Moffatt, M.-C. Corbeil and D. Duguay. “Early Twentieth-Century Artists’ Paints in Toronto: Archival and Material Evidence.” Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 40 (2015), pp. 19–34.

Presentations

Helwig, K., A. Douglas, D. Duguay and E. Moffatt. “The Painting Materials and Techniques of J.E.H. MacDonald: Oil Sketches from 1909–1922.” Talk presented at the Joint American Institute for Conservation 44th Annual Meeting and Canadian Association for Conservation 42nd Annual Conference. Montreal, QC, May 13–17, 2016.

Kate Helwig. “The Materials and Techniques of J.E.H. MacDonald: Research at the Canadian Conservation Institute." Public lecture presented at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2018.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

125314

Project description

The purpose of the project is to develop a database of the materials, techniques and condition for selected oil paintings attributed to Dulongpré. This information will allow us to better understand the working methods of the artist and will also be a starting point to resolve problems of attribution.

The project will involve the examination of paintings from a number of museums. The work will include visual examination, technical photography, x-radiography and scientific analysis of the paint and ground layers. We expect that certain paintings will be sent to CCI for examination and that others will be examined on-site in the various participating museums.

Users of the work are curators, conservators, scientists, art historians, artists, law enforcement agencies, collectors, and the general public in Canada and internationally.

Project results and information from the project will assist curators, conservators, and scientists by providing essential data on Dulongpré's materials and techniques, which could be useful both in authenticity and attribution studies, and in evaluating the conservation requirements of his works.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Kate Helwig

Project team

Carl Bigras, Debra Daly Hartin, Jennifer Poulin, Jeremy Powell, Stephanie Barnes, Maeve Moriarty

Links/Partnerships

Barbara Klempan (formerly Queen's University), René Villeneuve (National Gallery of Canada), Gilbert Gignac

Publications

Helwig, Kate, and Debra Daly Hartin. "A Starch-based Ground Layer on a Painting Attributed to Louis Dulongpré." Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 24 (1999), pp. 23–28.

Presentations

Helwig, K., and D. Daly Hartin. “The Materials and Techniques of Louis Dulongpré: Oil Portraits from 1800–1825.” Talk presented at the 44th Annual Canadian Association for Conservation. Kingston, ON, May 8–12, 2018.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

82213

Project description

The purpose of the project is to analyze the materials and document the techniques used by Marc-Aurèle Fortin in order to build a database, which will assist in devising treatments and selecting appropriate display and storage conditions for his works. The project will provide reference analyses for paintings for which the attribution is questioned.

The retrospective exhibition being organized by the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec for 2011 provides an excellent opportunity to study the works of Fortin, who painted using a broad range of materials. A representative selection of paintings will be examined and samples will be taken for analysis using various methods. An article based on the results of the project will be included in the catalogue of the exhibition.

Users of the work are curators, conservators, scientists, art historians, artists, law enforcement agencies, collectors, and the general public in Canada.

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Marie-Claude Corbeil

Project team

Elizabeth Moffatt, Jennifer Poulin, Eric J. Henderson

Links/Partnerships

Claude Belleau (formerly Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec)

Publications

Corbeil, Marie-Claude, Elizabeth Moffatt, Claude Belleau, Eric J. Henderson and Jennifer Poulin. "Une étude des matériaux et techniques de Marc-Aurèle Fortin." Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 43 (2018), pp. 3–20.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

96903

Project description

To compare effectiveness of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (EMIMBr) for stabilization of copper containing inks and pigments.

While calcium phytate has been proven to be effective for delaying corrosion of paper caused by iron-containing inks, it is not effective for stabilization of copper-containing inks and pigments. Many inks and pigments used on paper documents contain copper, and studies have shown that copper ions are far more active in catalyzing oxidation of paper compared to iron.

The damaging effect is evident in a historically and culturally significant object, the Haggadah Prayer Book, belonging to the Library Archives Canada (LAC), and is in need of treatment. The copper-containing inks and pigments in the prayer book cannot be subjected to aqueous treatments. The European co-funded InkCor project identified a number of antioxidants that can be used in non-aqueous solutions. In collaboration with the LAC, this project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two of these antioxidants for stabilizing copper-containing media.

Laboratory-prepared and commercially available copper-containing iron gall ink and pigments (verdigris and atacamite) will be applied on unsized Whatman #1 paper and pre-aged. These will be subjected to aqueous and alcoholic solutions of antioxidants (TBAB and EMIMBr), and will be heat aged using the sealed-tube method. Analyses will be carried out after aging to determine the efficacy of the treatments.

Project dates

2009 to 2014

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Season Tse

Project team

Sherry Guild

Links/Partnerships

Maria Bedynski (Library and Archives Canada), Doris St-Jacques (Library and Archives Canada)

Publications

Tse, Season, Maria Trojan-Bedynski and Doris St. Jacques. "Treatment Considerations for the Haggadah Prayer Book: Evaluation of Two Antioxidants for Treatment of Copper-Containing Inks and Colorants." The Book and Paper Group Annual 31 (2012), pp. 87–97.

St-Jacques, Doris, Maria Bedynski, Lynn Curry and Season Tse. "A 1763 Illuminated Haggadah Manuscript: How Ineffective Past Treatments Resulted in an Antioxidant Research Project, Impacting Current Treatment Decisions" [online]. In Lieve Watteeuw and Christa Hoffman, eds., Paper Conservation: Decisions & Compromises: ICOM-CC Graphic Document Working Group – Interim Meeting, Austrian National Library, Vienna, 17–19 April 2013. Vienna, Austria: ICOM, pp. 17–20.

Trojan-Bedynski, Maria, Doris St-Jacques, Lynn Curry and Season Tse. "The Altona Haggadah: The History, Conservation and Rebinding of an Eighteenth-century Illuminated Manuscript." In Care and Conservation of Manuscripts 14: Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Seminar Held at the University of Copenhagen 17th–19th October 2012. Copenhagen, Denmark: Museum Tusculanum Press, 2014, pp. 157–176.

Presentations

Tse, Season, Maria Bedynski and Doris St-Jacques,. "Treatment Considerations for the Haggadah Prayer Book: Evaluation of Two Antioxidants for Treatment of Copper Containing Inks and Colourants". Talk presented at the Book and Paper Specialty Group, 40th Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation. Albuquerque, NM, May 8–11, 2012.

Bedynski, Maria, Doris St-Jacques, Lynn Curry and Season Tse. "The Altona Haggadah: The History, Conservation and Rebinding of an Eighteenth-century Illuminated Manuscript. Talk presented at the Care and Conservation of Manuscripts Conference. Copenhagen, Denmark, October 17–19, 2012.

St-Jacques, Doris, Maria Bedynski, Lynn Curry and Season Tse. "A 1763 Illuminated Haggadah Manuscript: How Ineffective Past Treatments Resulted in an Antioxidant Research Project, Impacting Current Treatment Decisions". Talk presented at the ICOM-CC Graphic Document Working Group Interim meeting. Vienna, Austria, April 17–19, 2013.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

101119

Project description

The Lining Project is a long-term project to study the behaviour of various lining systems and to investigate their ability to minimize defects in a painting. The previous research of Marion Mecklenburg and Gerry Hedley increased our understanding of the mechanical behaviour of paintings and lining supports and, as a result, fabrics such as polyester were introduced as lining supports. Are these supports behaving as we think they are in supporting the stresses in a painting? The purpose of the project is to assess the effectiveness of selected lining supports to dominate the stiffness in a painting and, in so doing, to support the stresses in a painting in response to both short-term strain (shock) and long-term strain (cupping and cracking, RH and temperature change). This will assist the conservator in making the most appropriate choice of lining fabric for a particular painting.

Development of a standard experimental procedure will allow comparative testing of additional lining supports as well as less intrusive methods of structural stabilization.

Project dates

2003 to 2016

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Debra Daly Hartin

Project team

Stefan Michalski, Eric Hagan

Publications

Daly Hartin, Debra, and Stefan Michalski. "Methodology and Status of the Lining Project, CCI." In ICOM-CC 8th Triennial Meeting, Sydney, Australia, 6-11 September 1987: Preprints. Los Angeles, CA: GCI, 1987, pp. 145–152.

Daly Hartin, Debra, Stefan Michalski and Christie Pacquet. "Ongoing Research in the CCI Lining Project: Peel Testing of BEVA 371 and Wax-resin Adhesives with Different Lining Supports." In ICOM-CC 10th Triennial Meeting, Washington, DC, USA, 22-27 August 1993: Preprints. London, UK: James & James, 1993, pp. 128–134.

Michalski, Stefan, and Debra Daly Hartin. "CCI Lining Project: Preliminary Testing of Lined-Model Paintings." In ICOM-CC 11th Triennial Meeting, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1-6 September 1996: Preprints. London, UK: James & James, 1996, pp. 288–296.

Daly Hartin, Debra, Eric Hagan, Stefan Michalski and Mylène Choquette. "CCI Lining Project: Testing of Lined Model Paintings from Fractions of a Second to Decades." In ICOM-CC 16th Triennial Conference, Lisbon, 19-23 September, 2011: Preprints. Lisbon, Portugal: Critério, 2011.

Daly Hartin, D., S. Michalski, E. Hagan and M. Choquette. “Overview of the CCI Lining Project: Do Linings Prevent Cracking and Cupping in Paintings?” In B. Buckley, ed., AIC Paintings Specialty Group Postprints, Volume Twenty-eight, 2015. Washington, D.C.: The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, 2015, pp. 137–150.

Presentations

Daly Hartin, Debra, and Stefan Michalski. "Lined Paintings - Research; Tests of Beva and Wax-Resin Linings." Talk presented at the Gerry Hedley Memorial Forum: Mechanical Behaviour of Paintings - Experience and Theory. Ottawa, ON, 1993.

Michalski, Stefan, and Debra Daly Hartin. “CCI Lining Project: Preliminary Testing of Lined-Model Paintings." Poster presented at the UKIC Conference, Lining and Backing: The Support of Paintings, Paper and Textiles. London, UK, November 7–8, 1995.

Daly Hartin, Debra, Eric Hagan, Paul Marcon, Stefan Michalski and Tom Strang, "Research and Development into Structural Treatments of Paintings; CCI Lining Project and CCI Octoprobe." Talk presented at the ICOM-CC Paintings Group Workshop: Current Practice and Recent Developments in the Structural Conservation of Paintings on Canvas Supports. Vantaa, Finland, September 16–18, 2010. (Available on DVD.)

Daly Hartin, Debra, Eric Hagan and Stefan Michalski. "CCI Lining Project: Testing of Lined Model Paintings from Fractions of a Second to Decades." Lecture to conservation students from Queen's University and Sir Sanford Fleming College. Ottawa, ON, October 30, 2011.

Daly Hartin, Debra, and Eric Hagan. "The CCI Lining Project; a Display and Discussion." Demonstration during Demo Day, CCI Adhesive Symposium. Ottawa, ON, October 2011.

Michalski, S., D. Daly Hartin, E. Hagan and M. Choquette. “The CCI Lining Project Final Results: Extreme Temperatures, Extreme Humidities and Complete Master Curves.” Poster presented at the ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference. Melbourne, Australia, 2014.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

86055

Project description

The purpose of this project is to characterize a group of amber samples from a variety of Canadian sources using FTIR spectroscopy and GC-MS to determine chemical composition and whether amber from different locations can be distinguished.

Preliminary results indicated that Canadian ambers have unique fingerprints that are different from those of European ambers. The chemistry of Canadian ambers is not well known. The project will investigate the chemistry of these materials that were important to early Native people and may help archaeologists establish trade routes.

The users of this work are Canadian museums and archaeologists.

Project dates

2003 to 2016

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Jennifer Poulin

Project team

Kate Helwig

Publications

Poulin, Jennifer, and Kate Helwig. “Class Id Resinite from Canada: A New Sub-class Containing Succinic Acid.” Organic Geochemistry 44 (2012), pp. 37–44.

Poulin, J., and K. Helwig. “Inside Amber: The Structural Role of Succinic Acid in Class Ia and Class Id Resinite.” Analytical Chemistry 86 (2014), pp. 7428–7435.

Poulin, J., and K. Helwig. "Inside Amber: New Insights into the Macromolecular Structure of Class Ib Resinite." Organic Geochemistry 86 (2015), pp. 94–106.

Poulin, J., and K. Helwig. “The Characterisation of Amber from Deposit Sites in Western and Northern Canada.” Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 7 (2016), pp. 155–168.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

86101

Project description

The purpose of this project is to provide knowledge about the compositions of imitation stones. The project goals are to identify the types of "imitation stone," to document existing stones to act as reference materials for future analyses and to develop an analytical protocol to more easily categorize these types of materials. Knowledge of the materials used in exterior imitation monuments and sculptures is important in determining the proper conservation treatment. As the composition of imitation stone varies greatly, identification can be difficult without analytical support.

The purpose of this project is to provide knowledge about imitation stones used in outdoor religious sculptures and monuments. Knowledge of the different imitation stone mixtures used by various studios may provide enough information to make conservation decisions without needing analysis for each sculpture. This knowledge can also assist with provenance when little information is available on a particular artifact.

Typical samples of imitation stone will be characterized by combining existing provenance information, such as the date and studio where the sculpture was made, information on what materials may have been incorporated into certain types of stone, photo documentation of the artifact materials, and analysis. The project will start with literature research, assembling well-documented samples and determining the major categories of imitation stone to be analyzed. Appropriate strategies will then be determined for efficient analysis of the material. Other expertise may be sought during the project to assist with some analytical aspects, such as petrographic thin section preparation and interpretation, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry or ICP analysis.

The users of the results of this project are conservators, architectural historians, curators and art historians in Canada.

Project dates

2004 to 2017

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Dominique Duguay

Project team

Elizabeth Moffatt, Jane Sirois, Melanie Raby

Links/Partnerships

Isabelle Paradis (Centre de conservation du Québec)

Publications

Duguay, D., J. Sirois, M. Raby and I. Paradis. “Characterization of Artificial Stone Used for Outdoor Monuments and Sculpture in Quebec.” Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 41 (2016), pp. 3–18.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

93922

Project description

The purpose of this project is to develop a manual and tools for risk assessment of collections. These will be used in the delivery of courses with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and will be used in a CCI museum risk-assessment service. Much of this development work will be driven by the needs of the risk assessment pilot projects.

Project dates

2006 to 2016

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Stefan Michalski

Publications

Michalski, S., and J.L. Pedersoli Jr. The ABC Method: A Risk Management Approach to the Preservation of Cultural Heritage. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Conservation Institute, 2016.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

96638

Project description

The purpose of this project is to determine the sorption isotherms of various materials found in libraries, archives and museums. This will provide valuable data for the development of new isoperms based on the relationship between relative humidity and moisture content, with the revised modeling now incorporating the Arrhenius equation and the moisture sorption isotherm, which is best modeled by the Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer (GAB) equation. This information can be used to improve the accuracy of isoperms and assist in the development of storage strategies for materials found in collections.

Sorption isotherms and GAB parameters will be determined for materials for which the activation energy required in the Arrhenius equation is known, two cellulose papers (ASTM #1 and ASTM #3) and cellulose triacetate.

Project dates

2009 to 2017

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Paul Bégin

Project team

Tom Strang, David Grattan

Canadian Conservation Institute number

120409

Project description

The purpose of this study is to examine the soaking resistance of modern information carriers and their recovery after soaking. Information will also be gathered on the effect of other types of disaster events (shock, heat exposure, etc.) on such materials and their recovery from these events.

Previous experiments on the disaster recovery of modern information carriers (consult the technical bulletin on Disaster Recovery of Modern Information Carriers: Compact Discs, Magnetic Tapes and Magnetic Disks) did not examine DVDs, Blu-ray discs or flash media. Therefore, to complement the initial work, these newer materials will be subjected to water soaking and various drying methods in order examine their resistance to water soaking and effects of different drying methods on the media.

There is no information available on the disaster recovery of this newer media and, therefore, the information generated from this study will assist any heritage organization that collects and stores these materials. The results of this study will also complement the results of previous disaster recovery studies performed at CCI on modern information carriers.

Project dates

2013 to 2017

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Joe Iraci

Publications

Iraci, J. “The Soaking Resistance of Electronic Storage Media.” Restaurator 38,1 (March 2017), pp. 33–75.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

125275

Project description

The purpose of this project is to revise the existing environmental guidelines related to mould growth by a comprehensive and up–to–date review of the current research and literature on mould initiation and growth.

Initial conditions for mould growth (humidity too high) have long contributed to the specifications for environmental control to protect cultural property. The guidelines were single value prohibitions (< 65% RH) or descriptive lists of expected mould response at various humidities. Published limits for mould growth also contained flaws by not incorporating evidence of harm to materials found in cultural property.

The most current approach uses verified models for preventing mould in cool temperature building research and design; however, the most sensitive materials (e.g. animal glues and binders) are not considered in the building science models except as rare "laboratory conditions." These models exclude such conditions because they are focused on common building construction materials, not decorative finishes or susceptible contents.

Exceeding static mould growth limits does not represent certainty of harm as these limits are further modified by fluctuations in the environment. Dynamic models calculate this effect and can push sustainable design guidelines for indoor humidities into regions that, until now, have been advertised to our clients as dangerous (based on static threshold models). The complexities of these new dynamic models need to be explained to our clientele so that they have arguments for "relaxing" mould threshold guidelines in a safe and comprehensible manner and, equally, can insist on more stringent boundary conditions for environments for truly sensitive cultural properties when required.

The results from this research will be used by conservators, collection managers and museum facility managers to ensure the safe storage of their collections within the newer sustainable environmental guidelines.

Project dates

2012 to 2019

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Tom Strang

Links/Partnerships

Rika Kigawa (National Research Institute for Cultural Properties)

Publications

Strang, T. “Mould Risk to Cultural Property: On the Problem of Defining Adverse Environmental Conditions and Potential for Harm.” In Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques, ed., Microbial Biodeterioration of Cultural Property: Recent Topics on the Investigation of and Countermeasures for Biodeterioration of Outdoor/Indoor Properties and Disaster-affected Objects. Proceedings from the 36th International Symposium on the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, Tokyo, 5–7 December 2012. Tokyo, Japan: National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, 2013, pp. 149–166.

Presentations

Strang, T. Mould Risk to Cultural Property – On the Problem of Defining Adverse Environmental Conditions and Potential for Harm. Talk presented at the 39th Annual Canadian Association for Conservation Conference. Saint John, NB, May 21–25, 2013.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

125310

Project description

The purpose of the project is to identify modifiers that do not adversely affect the stability of a vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) copolymer adhesive so that a good conservation adhesive can be formulated. Eighteen common modifiers are added to a well-characterized VAE dispersion in known concentrations, and samples are subjected to dark and light aging for about five years. Yellowing, pH, flexibility, cohesive strength, gloss and removability are monitored for significant changes upon aging.

Project dates

1993 to 2016

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Jane Down

Project team

Jennifer Benson, Noorin Samji

Publications

Down, Jane L. "Adhesive Projects at the Canadian Conservation Institute." In Margot M. Wright and Joyce H. Townsend, eds., Resins: Ancient and Modern, Pre-prints of the SSCR's 2nd Resins Conference Held at the Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, 13-14 September 1995. Edinburgh, UK: SSCR, 1995, pp. 4–12.

Down, Jane L. "Towards a Better Emulsion Adhesive - A Preliminary Report on the Effect of Modifiers on the Stability of a Vinyl Acetate / Ethylene (VAE) Copolymer Emulsion Adhesive." Technical Report (CCI) 1 (2000).

Down, Jane L. “The Effect of Modifiers on the Stability of a Vinyl Acetate/Ethylene Copolymer Dispersion.” Studies in Conservation 61,1 (January 2016), pp. 26–45.

Presentations

Down, Jane L. "Adhesive Projects at the Canadian Conservation Institute." Talk presented at the Scottish Society for Conservation and Restoration, Resins Conference. Aberdeen, Scotland, September 13–14, 1995.

Canadian Conservation Institute Number

68451

Project description

The purpose of this project is to study the chemical, mechanical and removability properties of various commercially available tapes and heat-set tissues to understand their impact on paper and to determine which might be less damaging. These materials continue to be widely used-but their impact on substrates is poorly understood.

Commercially available tapes and heat-set tissues will be analyzed to determine major chemical components, and pH measurements will also be taken. The results will be used to screen the products and to reduce the number for full-scale testing.

Full-scale testing will assess the following upon aging for 5-10 years in the dark under ambient conditions and under standard illumination conditions:

• substrate damage by DP, pH, colour, translucency, PAT and out gassing measurements;
• removability by conventional conservation methods, 180° hot and cold peel-off paper tests, and a solvent immersion weight loss method; and
• mechanical properties by 180° peel-off various substrates and tensile testing of the composites.

Ease of application and carrier suitability will also be assessed in the full-scale testing. From the results, an overall assessment of suitability will be made. A report will be written and submitted for publication.

All conservators who use tapes and heat-set tissues or who have to remove these products from artifacts will benefit from this work.

Project dates

1997 to 2014

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Jane Down

Project team

Sherry Guild, Greg Hill, Joe Iraci, Season Tse, Scott Williams, Christine McNair

Links/Partnerships

Kathleen Westbury (Parks Canada Agency), Doris St-Jacques (Library and Archives Canada), Elissa O'Loughlin (Walters Art Museum)

Publications

Down, Jane L., R. Scott Williams, Season Tse and Sherry Guild. "The CCI Tapes and Heat-set Tissues Project." Papier Restaurierung 7, 1 (2006), pp. 13–17.

Westbury, Elissa O'Loughlin, Elzbieta Kaminska, R. Scott Williams, Joe Iraci and Season Tse. "Update on the CCI Adhesive Tape and Heat-set Tissues Project." In Symposium 2011, Adhesives and Consolidants for Conservation: Research and Applications [online]. Ottawa, ON: CCI, 2011.

Down, J., S. Guild, G. Hill, C. McNair, D. St-Jacques and K. Westbury. “Evaluation of Selected Adhesive Tapes and Heat-set Tissues – A Final Update.” Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 38 (2013), pp. 14–25.

Presentations

Down, Jane L., Sherry Guild, Greg Hill, Doris StJacques and Kate Down "Report on the CCI Tapes and Heat-set Tissues Project." Talk presented at the IADA conference "This Will Stick Forever." Budapest, Hungary, May 2005; and the Research and Technical Studies Group, 33rd Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation. Minneapolis, MN, June 2005.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

68827

Project description

The purpose of this project is to study a variety of poly(vinyl acetates) and acrylics adhesives. This project has been designed in conjunction with a team of conservators in order to measure properties of these adhesives which conservators feel are important for use in conservation applications.

The project consists of initially screening the collected (about 150) commercially available poly(vinyl acetate) and acrylic adhesives by a chemical analysis. From this analysis, the adhesives are ordered by chemical class and one representative product from each class is selected to undergo further, more comprehensive testing; about 25 different poly(vinyl acetate) and 25 different acrylic adhesives are selected. Samples of these adhesives are prepared and naturally aged under both dark (22°C, 45% RH) and light (190µ W/ lumen, 700-800 lux) conditions, and the pH (i.e. acidity or alkalinity), emission of harmful volatiles, flexibility, cohesive strength and yellowing are monitored on dried adhesive films on a yearly basis for the first 4 or 5 years (some properties are monitored less often) and then every 10 years or so after that. The results are calculated, tabulated and/or plotted; acceptable conditions or criteria for each property are decided; and every adhesive is evaluated against these criteria to see how acceptable they are. Recommendations are made. These results are written up and published in a reputable peer-reviewed journal. The initial paper is published after the first 4 or 5 years of aging and updates are published thereafter as completed.

The information produced from this project will benefit conservators in every field of conservation worldwide-students and practicing conservators alike. The poly(vinyl acetate) and acrylic adhesives are two of the most popular adhesive groups used in conservation, so having aging information on these products will help the conservation community make wise choices for conservation treatments.

Project dates

1982 to 2015

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Jane Down

Project team

Scott Williams, Jennifer Benson, Noorin Samji

Publications

Down, Jane L. "Adhesive Testing at the Canadian Conservation Institute, Past and Future." In N.S. Brommelle, et al., eds., Adhesives and Consolidants: Preprints of the Contributions to the IIC Paris Congress, 2-8 September 1984. London, UK: IIC, 1984, pp. 18–21.

Down, Jane L., and R. Scott Williams. "A Report on the Evaluation of Selected Poly(vinyl acetate) and Acrylic Adhesives for Use in Paper Conservation." In H.D. Burgess, ed., Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works on Paper, Proceedings of Symposium 88. Ottawa, ON: CCI, 1994, pp. 163–180.

Down, Jane L., Maureen A. MacDonald, Jean Tétreault and R. Scott Williams. "Adhesive Testing at the CCI - An Evaluation of Selected Poly(vinyl acetate) and Acrylic Adhesives." Studies in Conservation 41, 1 (1996), pp.19–44.

Down, Jane L. "Poly(vinyl acetate) and Acrylic Adhesives: A Research Update." In J. Ambers, et al., eds., Holding It All Together: Ancient and Modern Approaches to Joining, Repair and Consolidation. London, UK: Archetype, 2009, pp. 91–98.

Down, Jane L. “The Evaluation of Selected Poly(vinyl acetate) and Acrylic Adhesives: A Final Research Update.” Studies in Conservation 60,1 (2015), pp. 33–54.

Presentations

Down, Jane L. "Adhesive Testing at the Canadian Conservation Institute, Past and Future." Talk presented at the IIC Paris Congress, Adhesives and Consolidants. Paris, France, September 2–8, 1984.

Down, Jane L. "Poly(vinyl acetate) and Acrylic Adhesives: A Research Update." Talk presented at the British Museum Conference, Holding it All Together: Ancient and Modern Approaches to Joining, Repair and Consolidation. London, UK, February 21–22, 2008.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

73767

Project description

The waterlogged wood component in archaeological wood/iron artifacts is frequently seriously stained with iron corrosion products that are often orange in colour. The purpose of this project is to determine which of eight chemical solutions is the most suitable for quickly removing surface staining from the wood while minimizing the damage to iron prior to treatment of the waterlogged wood. The eight chemical solutions are 10% w/v sodium hydrosulphite, 2% w/v thioglycolic acid, 2% w/v oxalic acid, 1% w/v poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), 1% v/v phosphoric acid, 1% v/v phosphoric acid plus 1% w/v poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), 1% w/v ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plus 0.5% w/v pentasodium salt of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and 1% w/v ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plus 10% w/v sodium hydrosulphite. This project is one in a planned series that will deal with chemical treatments of metals.

The experimental work was carried out at Parks Canada because of specific issues about staining raised by archaeologists. Since the problem is general, it is thought that most archaeologists who deal with these materials will find the results from this work to be valuable. Users who will benefit from this work are archaeological metal conservators.

Project dates

2005 to 2014

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Lyndsie Selwyn

Project team

Cliff Cook, Tara Grant, Sherry Guild, Season Tse, Jan Vuori

Links/Partnerships

Michael Eisen (Parks Canada), Ron Fairman (Parks Canada), Sylvie Labroche (EPCC Arc'Antique)

Publications

Selwyn, Lyndsie, and Season Tse. "The Chemistry of Sodium Dithionite and Its Uses in Conservation." Reviews in Conservation 9 (2008), pp. 61–73.

Selwyn, L., C. Cook, W.R. McKinnon, R. Fairman and S. Labroche. “Iron Stain Removal from Archaeological Composite Artifacts Made of Wood and Iron.” Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 38 (2013), pp. 31–42.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

93854

Project description

This project aims to gain necessary experience (on different substrates and colourants) and understanding of the potential and limitation of microfading, in order that this tool can be used effectively for on-site service and for research.

The Oriel Microfading Tester (Oriel -MFT) was developed by Paul Whitmore (Art Conservation Research Center at Carnegie Mellon University) in the late 1990s for direct determination of light sensitive materials in museum and gallery collections. The technique involves shining a very high intensity UV-free (~6 million lux) light spot (0.4 mm) directly on an object, recording its visible spectra and, at the same time, measuring any fading that may occur during light exposure. To date, there are approximately 14 such testers worldwide.

CCI's expertise in museum lighting (Michalski – Light Damage Sliderule, Light Damage Calculator), prior experience with micro-spot fading (Michalski and Costain 1994), and the need to directly determine fading properties of red dye on the First Canadian Maple Leaf Flag resulted in our purchase of the tester in 2006. The Oriel -MFT was assembled in December 2007 with external help. The novelty and the extreme nature of the technique require continuous effort for improvement, characterization, and standardization of sampling, data collection and reporting protocols.

Project dates

2010 to 2015

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Season Tse

Links/Partnerships

Jim Druzik (Getty Conservation Institute)

Publications

Tse, Season, Sherry Guild, Valeria Orlandini and Maria Trojan-Bedynski. "Microfade Testing of 19th Century Iron Gall Inks." American Institute for Conservation Textile Speciality Group Postprint 20 (2010), pp. 167–180.

Tse, Season, Luci Cipera and Carolyn Leckie. "Microfade Testing to Support Exhibition Decisions: The Catherine Parr Traill Scrapbooks" Collection Forum 25(1) (2011), pp. 92–106.

Presentations

Tse, Season. "Microfade Testing of 19th Century Iron Gall Inks". Paper presented at Textile Group, 38th Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation. Milwaukee, WI, May 11–14, 2010.

Tse, Season, Luci Cipera and Carolyn Leckie. "Catharine Parr Traill Scrapbooks: Microfade Testing of Herbaria Collection and Exhibition Decisions." Paper presented at the SPNHC CBA-ABC Joint Conference. Ottawa, ON, May 31 to June 5, 2010.

Tse, Season, and Nancy E. Binnie. "Microfade Testing - a New Onsite Service for Predicting the Fading of Objects." Poster presented at the 36th Annual Canadian Association for Conservation Conference. Ottawa, ON, June 10–12, 2010.

Canadian Conservation Institute Number

121459

Project description

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effects of eight conservation treatments on original iron gall ink documents.

Five iron gall ink documents, dating from the mid- to late 19th century, donated by Archives nationales du Québec, were used for this experiment. Each document was treated with eight separate conservation treatments. The documents were treated by Valeria Orlandini, an intern at the Gatineau Preservation Center, Library and Archives of Canada, in July 2002. The five sets of treated samples were artificially aged using heat (80°C, 65% RH), light (fluorescent light bank without UV filter) and humidity (22°C, 85% RH). Quantitative colour monitoring was carried out with the Minolta 2022 spectrophotometer. Changes in the appearance of the documents will be evaluated visually by a panel. Imaging methods such as the MuSIS camera, flatbed scanners, and conventional UV-fluorescence and IR photography will also be used. The methods of imaging will also be compared according to their accuracy in documenting colour and physical changes to the ink and the paper. The treated and aged samples will also be monitored for colour change every five years while stored in temperature and RH controlled laboratory environments.

Users are conservators and custodians of iron gall ink collections in archives, and libraries and galleries interested in knowing the impact that some of the conservation treatments may have on iron gall ink documents in their collection.

Project dates

2002 to 2015

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Season Tse

Project team

Carl Bigras, Malcolm Bilz, Sherry Guild, Jane Sirois, Scott Williams, Gregory Young, Jason Anema

Links/Partnerships

Harold Holland (Council of Archives New Brunswick), Maria Bedynski (Library and Archives Canada), Valeria Orlandini, Doug Goltz (University of Winnipeg), Rob Waller (Protect Heritage Corp.)

Publications

Tse, Season, Sherry Guild, Maria Trojan-Bedynski and Valeria Orlandini. "Effect of Aqueous Treatments on 19th Century Iron Gall Ink Documents: Part 2: Artificial Aging by Heat, Humidity and Light." Second Iron Gall Ink Meeting: Final Meeting, January 24–27, 2006. Pre-conference Proceedings. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: MIP, 2006, pp. 40–42.

Tse, Season, and Waller, Robert., "Developing a Risk Assessment Model for Iron Gall Ink on Paper." In J. Bridgland, ed., ICOM-CC 15th Triennial Conference, New Delhi, 22–26 September, 2008: Preprints. New Dehli: Allied Publishers Pvt., 2008, volume 1, pp. 301–309.

Tse, Season, Douglas Goltz, Sherry Guild, Valeria Orlandini and Maria Trojan-Bedynski. "Effect of Aqueous Treatments on 19th Century Iron Gall Ink Documents: Assessment Using Hyperspectral Imaging." Book and Paper Group Annual 28 (2009), pp. 75–82.

Tse, Season, Sherry Guild, Valeria Orlandini and Maria Trojan-Bedynski. "Microfade Testing of 19th Century Iron Gall Inks." American Institute for Conservation Textile Speciality Group Postprint 20 (2010), pp. 167–180.

Tse, Season, Sherry Guild, and Amanda Gould. "A Comparison of Aqueous Versus Ethanol Modified Calcium Phytate Solutions for the Treatment of Iron-Gall Ink Inscribed Paper." Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 37 (2012), pp. 3–16.

Sherry Guild, Season Tse and Maria Trojan-Bedynski, "Technical Note on Treatment Options for Iron Gall Ink on Paper with a Focus on Calcium Phytate." Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 37 (2012), pp. 17–21.

Presentations

Tse, Season. "Effect of Aqueous Treatments on 19th Century Iron Gall Ink Documents: Part 2: Artificial Aging by Heat, Humidity and Light". Paper presented at the Second Iron Gall Ink Meeting: Final Meeting. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, January 24–27, 2006.

Tse, Season. "Canadian Iron Gall Ink Project. Part I: Update on Workshop, Research and Publications.". Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Canadian Association for Conservation Conference. Toronto, ON, May 17–19, 2006.

Tse, Season. "Iron Gall Ink: What Is It and Why Should We Care." Paper presented at the Canadian Council of Archives, Archives and You Conference. Halifax, NS, May 10–11, 2007.

Tse, Season, and Robert Waller. "Developing a Risk Assessment Model for Iron Gall Ink on Paper." Talk presented at the ICOM-CC 15th Triennial Conference. New Delhi, India, September 22–26, 2008.

Goltz, Doug. "Evaluation of Aqueous Treatments on 19th Century Iron Gall Ink Documents Using Hyperspectral Imaging." Paper presented at the Book and Paper Specialty Group, 37th Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation. Los Angeles, CA, May 19–22, 2009.

Tse, Season. "Calcium Phytate Treatment on 19th Century Iron Gall Ink Documents: Overall Summary of Research Results and Implications on Treatment." Paper presented at the Book and Paper Group, 38th Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation. Milwaukee, WI, May 11–14, 2010.

Guild, Sherry. "Treatment Options for Iron Gall Ink on Paper." Poster presented at the 36th Annual Canadian Association for Conservation Conference. Ottawa, ON, June 10–12, 2010.

Tse, Season. "Ethanol Modified Calcium Phytate Treatments for Iron Gall Ink Documents." Paper presented at the 36th Annual Canadian Association for Conservation Conference. Ottawa, ON, June 10–12, 2010.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

92399

Project description

This project will investigate the suitability of recordable Blu-ray (BD-R) and erasable Blu-ray (BD-RE) optical disc media for the long-term storage of digital information.

The advantage of Blu-ray disc media over CD and DVD formats is the higher capacity. With multiple layers being possible in a Blu-ray disc, a capacity of up to 100 GB (or the equivalent of 20 single layer s) can be achieved on a single disc. This makes the Blu-ray format well suited for the storage of uncompressed high quality video, the storage of large image files, backups, etc.

Organizations are already considering the Blu-ray format for their storage needs, especially for the digitization of obsolete or near obsolete high quality video formats. The Blu-ray disc structure and components to make the disc are different than what are used in CDs and DVDs. With only a small amount of useful information available on Blu-ray media, an investigation into this format is necessary to properly advise clients on whether this is a good medium for the long-term storage of information.

This project will involve examining the literature in order to acquire details on the structure, deterioration, longevity, storage and handling of this format. Emphasis will be placed on finding any longevity or stability studies on this format, as well as investigating analysis equipment and/or software for Blu-ray disc evaluations. The results of this initial literature search may lead to the design of a research project examining the stability of this media comparable to previous studies performed at CCI.

Any archive, library, museum, etc., may collect, or consider the use of, this type of media, and it is necessary to have information on hand to provide to these clients. Information acquired through the literature or research can be used to create a variety of online documents for the CCI website and will be used to update the Modern Information Carriers Workshop material.

Project dates

2011 to 2019

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Joe Iraci

Publications

Iraci, J. “Blu-Ray Media Stability and Suitability for Long-Term Storage.” Restaurator 39,2 (June 2018), pp. 129–155.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

122140

Project description

The purpose of the project is to analyze the materials and document the techniques used by Jean-Antoine Aide-Créquy. Jean-Antoine Aide-Créquy is an important artist in the history of Canadian painting, as he created his works shortly after the English Conquest of 1759, during a transition period in which importing artwork from France was not possible; as a result, local painting emerged. A study of the materials and techniques used by Aide-Créquy will enhance our understanding of this important period in the history of Canadian art by identifying the materials available for the painting at the time.

There are only eight paintings left by this artist, most of them signed and dated. Two paintings have already been analyzed while they were being treated at the Centre de conservation du Québec. The other six paintings belong to parishes and religious communities in the regions of Quebec and Charlevoix. They will be examined on-site, and samples will be taken from them for analysis using various methods.

Users of the project are art historians, curators and conservators in Canada.

Project dates

2004 to 2017

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Marie-Claude Corbeil

Project team

Elizabeth Moffatt

Links/Partnerships

Élisabeth Forest (Centre de conservation du Québec)

Publications

Forest, É., M.-C. Corbeil and E. Moffatt. “Jean-Antoine Aide-Créquy (1749-1780) : matériaux et technique picturale.” Journal of Canadian Art History 36,2 (2015), pp. 10–47.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

89313

Project description

Numerous reports of mechanical properties exist in the literature for museum collection materials and conservation products. A common area lacking in this body of work is the combined effect of temperature and strain rate on organic media. The purpose of this project is to broadly describe the thermo-mechanical properties of paint films, and related conservation materials. This will require measuring the tensile response of materials to failure as a function of temperature and strain rate at different levels of moisture content.

The potential for constructing Young's modulus and failure strain master-curves will also be explored as a means for extending the experimental time scale. Results from this study will provide an improved understanding of environmental effects on museum collections for conditions ranging from storage to transportation. It may also assist in the selection of suitable conservation products including adhesives and consolidants. An example application is the development of an alternative to Beva, which is in progress at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, in collaboration with researchers at other institutions.

The project will be divided into three phases:

• Phase 1 (2011-2012): Construction of an environmental chamber for the universal testing machine
• Phase 2 (2012-2013): Materials preparation and testing
• Phase 3 (2013-2014): Analysis and Dissemination

It is expected that the equipment developed for this project will be used in future projects at CCI; therefore; Phase 1 will have a broader research impact.

Project dates

2011 to 2016

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Eric Hagan

Publications

Hagan, E., M.N. Charalambides, C.R. Young and T.J. Learner. “The Effects of Strain Rate and Temperature on Commercial Acrylic Artist Paints Aged One Year to Decades.” Applied Physics A 121,3 (2015), pp. 823–835.

Hagan, E. “Thermo-mechanical Properties of White Oil and Acrylic Artist Paints.” Progress in Organic Coatings 104 (March 2017), pp. 28–33.

Presentations

Hagan, E. “Time and Temperature Effects on the Stress-Strain Response of Artist Paints with Different Binding Media.” Talk presented at the Gordon Research Conference: Scientific Methods in Cultural Heritage Research. Newry, ME, July 27 to August 1, 2014.

Hagan, E. “A Broader Look at the Mechanical Properties of Artist Paints with Different Binding Media: Effects of Temperature, Strain Rate and Moisture Content.” Talk presented at the ICOM-CC Joint Working Group Interim Meeting on Physical Issues in the Conservation of Paintings. Paris, France, September 29–30, 2016.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

122219

Project description

The purpose of this project is to investigate how canvas paintings respond to shock and vibration forces encountered during shipment.The project will identify when the shipping forces and response characteristics of the canvas painting structure give rise to damaging conditions for the paint layers. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of several control measures that can be used to limit the intensity of these forces and/or the responses they cause. The research combines theoretical information on the response of structures that are similar to canvas paintings and data on painting material properties with experimental investigations using test paintings. The painting layer type and thickness considered in this study is typical of aged, brittle oil paints or acrylics at low temperature (i.e. low flexibility) having a thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm. The main focus of this study is on portrait sized paintings. The size of most test paintings in this study is 64 cm x 76 cm.

The project will verify and build on the results of earlier investigations using new measuring equipment. Investigations of structural response characteristics and damage thresholds will be documented and analyzed with improved digital photographic equipment, methods and software.

This research will be of interest to professionals working in museums, art galleries and archives, and to transport companies who oversee the shipment of canvas paintings. The knowledge will help identify best practice for the safe shipment of these works. The structural behaviour of canvas paintings described in this research will be of interest to individuals undertaking the detailed study of force effects in painting materials. Practical outcomes of this study, such as methods of quantifying canvas tension based on measurement of natural frequency, will be of interest to researchers and conservation treatment professionals. The results of this research will also help identify areas for further investigation.

Project dates

2010 to 2014

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Paul Marcon

Project team

Mylène Choquette, Helen McKay, Debra Daly Hartin, Wendy Baker

Links/Partnerships

Alexis Soldano, Wendy Crawford, Bethany-Jo Mikelait

Presentation

Crawford, W., P. Marcon and B.J. Mikelait. “Gatorfoam to Improve the Structural Integrity of Paintings: Prevention of Damage from In-house Handling.” Talk presented at the 43rd Annual Canadian Association for Conservation Conference. Edmonton, AB, May 28–30, 2015.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

121414

Project description

The purpose of this project is to develop a protocol for sampling finishes that will facilitate the identification of original transparent finishes used on wooden furniture made in Canada before WW1.

The information collected on transparent finishes will help to determine future treatment paths and increase knowledge of finish materials used in Canadian collections. The information gathered will test the accuracy of assumptions' regarding clear finishes, and may uncover regional differences.

Furniture with a known provenance from New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario will be sampled first in order to use existing contacts and curatorial documentation to support the analysis work.

A protocol for sampling will be developed to ensure consistent and accurate results.

Scientific analysis of the samples will determine what comprises the finish. This baseline information will be made available to curators, conservators, and other museum professionals, as well as to historians and students of material culture across the country.

Project dates

2007 to 2016

Canadian Conservation Institute project leader

Amanda Salmon

Project team

Elizabeth Moffatt, Jennifer Poulin, James Hay, Alastair Fox

Publications

Moffatt, E., A. Salmon, J. Poulin, A. Fox and J. Hay. “Characterization of Varnishes on Nineteenth-Century Canadian Furniture.” Journal of the Canadian Association for Conservation 40 (2015), pp. 3–18.

Canadian Conservation Institute number

96609