Enllaç permanent
Matèria
Tipus de Document
Extensió
13 p.
Resum
Natural history collections preserve invaluable taxidermy specimens, which are prone to lightinduced
degradation, compromising their historical and educational significance. Restoration
of these specimens to their original appearance through chromatic reintegration is
imperative. The principle of reversibility mandates interventions that are modifiable or
reversible without harming the original work, thereby preserving authenticity and enabling
future conservation efforts. This study aims to identify the most suitable product for
chromatic reintegration of a mammal taxidermy specimen, evaluate its fidelity to the
original population, and assess its imperceptibility to the general public during exhibitions.
Various products underwent rigorous evaluation for colouration, drying time, coverage,
reversibility, safety, and resistance to light degradation. Accelerated aging tests using the
Xenotest were conducted to simulate long-term light exposure. A beech marten taxidermy
specimen was restored with the chosen dye, and its colour was compared against skins
from the original population of the species. Public perception tests were conducted to
gauge the ability of people to detect the chromatic restoration during exhibitions. Orasol®
dye emerged as the optimal choice for chromatic reintegration, meeting criteria for
colouration, reversibility, coverage, and resistance to light degradation. Despite its toxicity
for aquatic organisms, it demonstrated promising results. Most colour measurements closely
matched the original beech marten population, with minor hue deviations. Public
perception tests confirmed the imperceptibility of the chromatic restoration, indicating its
suitability for exhibition and educational purposes. This study highlights the importance of
authenticity and imperceptibility in restoration processes, emphasizing the need for
meticulous consideration of budget constraints in museum settings.
Citació
Studies in conservation (2024), p. 1-13
Detall de les condicions d'ús
© The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works 2024
