The Conservation of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials

Mary-Lou E. Florian, Dale Paul Kronkright, and Ruth E. Norton

1990

348 pages

PDF file size: 7.13 MB


Description

This teaching guide covers the identification, deterioration, and conservation of artifacts made from plant materials. Detailed information on plant anatomy, morphology, and development, focusing on information useful to the conservator in identifying plant fibers are described, as well as the processing, construction, and decorative techniques commonly used in such artifacts. A final chapter provides a thorough discussion of conservation, preservation, storage, and restoration methods. This is a valuable resource to conservators and students alike.

Table of Contents

  • Chapter 1 Plant Anatomy: An Illustrated Aid to Identification
  • Chapter 2 Identification of Plant and Animal Materials in Artifacts
  • Chapter 3 Technology of Plant Materials Used in Artifacts
  • Chapter 4 Deterioration of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials
  • Chapter 5 Conservation of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials
  • Chapter 6 Appendices
  • Glossary
  • Index

About the Authors

Mary-Lou E. Florian has worked for the Restoration and Conservation Laboratory of the National Gallery of Canada and was senior conservation scientist at the Canadian Conservation Institute from 1972 to 1978. Since 1978, she has held the post of conservation scientist at the British Columbia Provincial Museum in Victoria, B.C., Canada.

Dale P. Kronkright has served as assistant conservator at the Peabody Museum, Harvard University (1982–83) and as museum conservator at the Redding Museum and Art Center in California (1983–86). He is senior objects conservator at the Pacific Regional Conservation Center, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Ruth E. Norton was objects conservator at the Pacific Regional Conservation Center, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Hawaii from 1978 to 1982. During a leave from the Center, she spent eighteen months as conservator and trainer at the National Museum of the Philippines. From 1982 to 1987 she was lecturer in objects conservation at the Canberra College of Advanced Education in Canberra, Australia. She is now in private practice.