Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Cleaning glass inside showcases 2. RE: Practical question for Paper Conservators - Cleaning with bamboo ash in water 3. A survey on Double Canvas Lining System for My Dissertation 4. A survey on Double Canvas Lining System for My Dissertation 5. RE: Cleaning glass inside showcases 6. RE: Green solvents and approaches 7. Upcoming Opportunity: Obama Presidential Center Art Maintenance and Conservation Services RFP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Anais Ellis Posted: Tuesday July 29, 2025 6:34 AM Subject: RE: Cleaning glass inside showcases Message: Many thanks everyone for the responses, they have been incredibly useful! ------------------------------ Anais Ellis Project Conservator, Nature + Love Horniman Museum & Gardens London United Kingdom ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 07-21-2025 04:48 From: Anais Ellis Subject: Cleaning glass inside showcases Hi all, I'm a Project Conservator at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, currently working on the re-display of the Natural History Gallery, and I'm seeking advice on what other institutions use to clean the glass inside showcases. Historically, we've experienced a few instances where a white, crystalline residue forming inside the cases. We think this was likely caused by cleaning products on the glass, possibly applied at the point of showcase production. We're currently considering using microfibre cloths to clean the glass. But in instances of stubborn smears, we are considering IMS/RO water solution to clean the glass. But with the use of alcohol comes the considerations for good ventilation/extraction. We'd be very interested to know what is considered best practice elsewhere. Any recommendations or insights would be greatly appreciated! ------------------------------ Anais Ellis Student University College London London United Kingdom ------------------------------ 2.From: Valeria Duplat Posted: Tuesday July 29, 2025 8:56 AM Subject: RE: Practical question for Paper Conservators - Cleaning with bamboo ash in water Message: Thank you to everyone who reached out regarding this matter. A few days ago, I received some information from Minako Wada at the Prado Museum. As Minako explained, this method originates from a traditional Japanese technique for washing textiles, which involves using hot baths and bamboo ashes. Bamboo ash is particularly rich in minerals. When dissolved in water, its alkaline salts react with weak acids from fats, leading to a saponification process. Additionally, bamboo ash contains silicate, which helps dislodge dirt when dissolved. The solution created by this method is alkaline, rich in sodium elements and weak silicic acid, giving it natural antibacterial properties. I became very interested in this approach, especially since I currently use citrates in my washing treatments. I would like to explore a more natural and understated method. It is essential to test and compare this approach through accurate analysis. I plan to conduct tests with students from INP in Paris this fall, and I will be happy to share the results. Best wishes ------------------------------ Valeria Duplat Paper Conservator Oporto Paper Conservation Porto Portugal ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 07-28-2025 09:50 From: Leslie Zacharie Subject: Practical question for Paper Conservators - Cleaning with bamboo ash in water Hi Valeria! I remember vaguely reading about the use of bamboo ash for the cleaning of paper a few years ago from a newspaper article. I was also very intrigued by this idea but I could'nt find anything else on the subject and I did not try it myself. I will talk further with colleagues specialized in Japanese art conservation as it seems to come from their practices. I would love to receive an update from your own experimentations! Best wishes, Leslie Zacharie Paper Conservator The Metropolitan Museum of Art ------------------------------ Leslie Zacharie Paper Conservation Fellow Metropolitan Museum of Art, Paper Conservation Department New York United States ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 07-22-2025 05:49 From: Valeria Duplat Subject: Practical question for Paper Conservators - Cleaning with bamboo ash in water Dear colleagues, this method, developed by Paper Conservator Minako Wada from the Prado Museum, utilises bamboo ash in water to clean works on paper damaged by oxidation marks, such as foxing.I discovered this fascinating method on a webinar organised by the Japan Foundation. Has someone experimented with this method before? I need to ascertain the amount of ash to water. The ash I got is of the finest quality, and in my tests, my water remains grey, even after decanting and filtering several times.Ta!Valeria Duplat Valeria Duplat Oporto Paper Conservationwww.valeriaduplat.com <http://www.valeriaduplat.com/> 3.From: Sophie Manns Posted: Tuesday July 29, 2025 11:58 AM Subject: A survey on Double Canvas Lining System for My Dissertation Message: Hello, My name is Sophie Manns. I am a postgraduate easel paintings conservation student at Northumbria University, England completing a dissertation on the use of the double canvas lining technique as a support for paintings. I would be very grateful if you would be willing to support my research by completing a short survey using the link below. It should take no longer than five minute to complete. https://forms.office.com/e/3w4QeymtLE <https://forms.office.com/e/3w4QeymtLE> I must reiterate that survey is anonymous, and all information will be destroyed when the research is complete. If you have other colleagues that you feel could support my work, please feel free to forward this email. Many thanks for your time. Regards Sophie ------------------------------ Sophie Manns ------------------------------ 4.From: Sophie Manns Posted: Tuesday July 29, 2025 11:58 AM Subject: A survey on Double Canvas Lining System for My Dissertation Message: Hello, My name is Sophie Manns. I am a postgraduate easel paintings conservation student at Northumbria University, England completing a dissertation on the use of the double canvas lining technique as a support for paintings. I would be very grateful if you would be willing to support my research by completing a short survey using the link below. It should take no longer than five minute to complete. https://forms.office.com/e/3w4QeymtLE <https://forms.office.com/e/3w4QeymtLE> I must reiterate that survey is anonymous, and all information will be destroyed when the research is complete. If you have other colleagues that you feel could support my work, please feel free to forward this email. Many thanks for your time. Regards Sophie ------------------------------ Sophie Manns Student Northumbria University Newcastle Program in Preventive Conservation/Conservation of Fine Art Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom ------------------------------ 5.From: Valerie Tomlinson Posted: Tuesday July 29, 2025 11:59 AM Subject: RE: Cleaning glass inside showcases Message: Hi Anais In my past work we used alcohol and water for glass cleaning. One could be flexible about what type of alcohol, but I tended to use isopropyl or ethanol, so long as it was of sufficient purity as to not leave significant residues. For that reason it was usually distilled, deionized, or RO water it was mixed with. There is flexibility with the concentration too, although I aimed for about 70% alcohol. This had good degreasing properties and flashed off quickly to leave the glass dry, and left zero residues as all components were volatile. Any haze appearing on the glass would mean either contaminated alcohol, a dirty cloth, or surface coatings on the glass that were affected by alcohol/water. One has to pay some attention to artifacts in the vicinity. It is only intended to be used on the cases and not on artefacts, but if overspray might affect the object, care must be used. I almost always sprayed the cloth, away from any objects, and then wiped the glass with the dampened cloth, rather than spraying anything directly. Val ------------------------------ Valerie Tomlinson Conservator of Modern and Contemporary Art Art Gallery of Ontario Toronto Canada ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 07-21-2025 04:48 From: Anais Ellis Subject: Cleaning glass inside showcases Hi all, I'm a Project Conservator at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, currently working on the re-display of the Natural History Gallery, and I'm seeking advice on what other institutions use to clean the glass inside showcases. Historically, we've experienced a few instances where a white, crystalline residue forming inside the cases. We think this was likely caused by cleaning products on the glass, possibly applied at the point of showcase production. We're currently considering using microfibre cloths to clean the glass. But in instances of stubborn smears, we are considering IMS/RO water solution to clean the glass. But with the use of alcohol comes the considerations for good ventilation/extraction. We'd be very interested to know what is considered best practice elsewhere. Any recommendations or insights would be greatly appreciated! ------------------------------ Anais Ellis Student University College London London United Kingdom ------------------------------ 6.From: Valeria Orlandini Posted: Tuesday July 29, 2025 3:46 PM Subject: RE: Green solvents and approaches Message: Thanks to all the colleagues who contacted me regarding our call for collaborations concerning sustainable preservation and climate-related danger to cultural heritage. I'd like to share the research that is being implemented for many years in several countries in South America and the Caribbean Islands. The use and applications of essential oils to prevent biodeterioration. Hope it will be of interest to you. --- Resilience and climate crisis: The search for more sustainable strategies to contrast biodeterioration of cultural heritage has been developing in recent years to find alternatives to synthetic biocides, since their toxicity and potential impact on the environment and health. The application of essential oils (EOs)/ aromatic plants have been tested to control microbial growth in Cuba, Colombia and other countries in Latin America. Keywords: essential oils, chemical composition, biological activity, antibacterial, antifungal --- "En el control de plagas se utilizan los biocidas, que generalmente son sustancias químicas costosas, tienen efectos nocivos sobre las personas que los usan, sobre el medio ambiente y aceleran el deterioro de los materiales. De ahí que la elección de un producto biocida sea cada vez más difícil ya que debe cumplir con requerimientos estrictos de control. Sin embargo, la búsqueda de alternativas como es el uso racional de productos naturales provenientes de plantas, puede incidir positivamente en la solución de estos problemas. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una disertación sobre los biocidas, su concepto, los distintos tipos y la importancia de los productos naturales provenientes de plantas como biocidas para el control del biodeterioro por microorganismos e insectos, así como las perspectivas y el impacto que pudieran tener en su aplicación sobre el patrimonio documental." By Sofía Borrego-Alonso (2015) -- Dr. Sofía Borrego Head of Lab. of Preventive Conservation National Archive of the Republic of Cuba Compostela 906 esq San Isidro, CP: 10100 Old Havana, Havana Cuba Phone: (53) 7862-9436 Fax: (53) 7866 8089 http://www.arnac.cu <http://www.arnac.cu/> --- Profesionales del Libro - Investigaciones <https://www.bibliotecanacional.gov.co/es-co/servicios/profesionales-del-libro/conservacion-de-colecciones/publicaciones-investigaciones-y-recursos> Biocontaminación y calidad de aire Biodeterioro y búsqueda de microorganismos de interés biotecnológico Productos de control de biodeterioro y biocontaminación Desde 2013, la Biblioteca Nacional de Colombia y la Universidad Distrital adelantan el proyecto evaluación de aceites esenciales a partir de especies vegetales promisorias, como posibles productos de control; se han logrado evaluar 18 aceites esenciales: albahaca comercial, albahaca silvestre, altamisa, arrayán (dos especies), canelón, cedro misionero, chiraco, cordoncillo, falso pimiento, geranio, hojas de tomate, lantana, laurel huesito, peperonia, pino llorón, piper, pronto alivio y tomillo. Los avances de las investigaciones pueden ser consultados en distintos artículos de la revista Conservamos. Guía Técnica de Preservación en Bibliotecas <https://www.bibliotecanacional.gov.co/es-co/servicios/profesionales-del-libro/conservacion-de-colecciones/revista-conservamos> del Centro de Conservación. Risk assessment/ Gestión de riesgos Profesionales del Libro Gestión de riesgos <https://www.bibliotecanacional.gov.co/es-co/servicios/profesionales-del-libro/conservacion-de-colecciones/gestion-de-riesgos> El aceite de geranio Pelargonium graveolans como potencial agente fungicida Resumen: El micro-biodeterioro es una de las principales problemáticas para la conservación de los acervos documentales.Comúnmente, el control o saneamiento se realiza con derivados de amonios cuaternarios, compuestos químicos que pueden generar resistencia de diversos microorganismos y efectos adversos para la salud. En ese sentido, la presente investigación evaluó la actividad microbicida del aceite esencial (AE) de hojas de geranio rosa (Pelargonium graveolens) frente a hongos filamentosos aislados de unidades con biodeterioro de la Biblioteca Nacional de Colombia (BNC). Así mismo, se determinaron los efectos fisicoquímicos del aceite antes y después de ser aplicado a probetas de papel por la técnica de envejecimiento acelerado. El AE se extrajo mediante destilación por arrastre de vapor y su perfil químico se caracterizó por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (CG-EM) e índices de retención. Los resultados determinaron como componentes mayoritarios del AE: trans-geraniol (29,9 %), β-citronelol (10,51 %) y β-linalool (6,11 %). El AE evidenció actividad fungicida al 1 % contra Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. y Stachybotrys spp. Finalmente, para evaluar los posibles efectos del AE sobre el soporte papel, se realizaron ensayos exploratorios de pH y cuantificación de azúcares reductores. Los resultados preliminares sugieren que la aplicación del AE en el soporte celulósico no genera efectos indeseados importantes en las muestras estudiadas. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que el AE de P. graveolens podría ser considerado como un potencial producto natural para el control del biodeterioro causado por hongos filamentosos. Luz Stella Villalba Corredor Bacterióloga / MSc. Microbiología Ambiental U. Nacional DEPARTAMENTO DE ANÁLISIS Y CONTROL Coordinadora Área de Biología - Microbiología Bogotá, Colombiaee DEPARTAMENTO DE CONSERVACIÓN Y RESTAURACIÓN Diagonal 42 A No. 19 - 17 Of./ Laboratorio 301 Bogota, Colombia www.haerentia.com <http://www.haerentia.com/> E-Mail: [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Valeria Orlandini Conservator of Works on Paper and Photographic Materials Chevy Chase MD (301) 657-2682 ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 07-23-2025 13:07 From: Valeria Orlandini Subject: Green solvents and approaches Dear Colleagues,After the International Iron Gall Ink Meeting 2025: Towards Sustainable Preservation (IGI2025) in Portugal we initiated collaborations and many discussions among attendees about green solvents, solutions and various approaches. I/ We would like to co-operate with other institutions and colleagues, conservators and conservation scientists that are focusing on research about climate change and collections at risks due to biodegradation. Please, reply to this thread and/or contact me directly: <[email protected] <[email protected]>>.We are very interested to hear from colleagues working on investigations and willing to share the results/ findings with us.Many thanks.--"We acknowledge the need for our museums to contribute to effecting change in our ways of working and addressing with a sense of urgency the climate and nature crisis."Bizot Green Protocol <https://www.cimam.org/documents/238/Bizot_Green_Protocol_-_2023_refresh_-_Sept_2023.pdf>We support collective adoption and implementation efforts to improve sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of cultural heritage preservation and conservation. ---A Study on the Degradation of Iron Gall Inks and to Preserve Them Using Green Approacheshttps://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/7/261 <https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/7/261>AbstractInks from the 12th to the 17th century were aged, and a multi-analytical approach was used for their identification based on HPLC–DAD–MS, microFTIR, and microRaman. Colorimetry analysis was also performed. After 6 years of application on filter paper, three inks were selected to be cleaned using a novel green approach based on a chemically crosslinked gel to remove unwanted materials from the ink surface. A Braga ink produced in 2018 was also tested. Two degradation products were identified; iron sulfate was the main degradation product in the Braga ink. For Montpellier, Guadalupe, and QI.8 inks, the main degradation product was a complex of iron with ellagic acid. These compounds were accurately confirmed using microFTIR. Several tests were performed to clean these degradation products with the gels. The Braga ink was cleaned with 10% ethanol in water, which was included in the gel, and the iron sulfate was removed within 15 s of application. On the other hand, the complex of iron with ellagic acid demanded longer application times; we used 2 min and repeated the application until the compound was removed. The novelty of this research has practical implications for the conservation of historical documents and artworks.Keywords: iron gall inks <https://www.mdpi.com/search?q=iron+gall+inks>; green approach <https://www.mdpi.com/search?q=green+approach>; conservation <https://www.mdpi.com/search?q=conservation>; cultural heritage <https://www.mdpi.com/search?q=cultural+heritage>Authors: Maria J. Melo a, N. Teixeira b, P. Nabais a, V. Otero a, R. Javier Díaz Hidalgo c, M. Ferretti d a LAQV-REQUIMTE and DCR, Nova School of Science and Technology, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal b LAQV-REQUIMTE, DQB, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade do Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal c Departamento de Historia. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad de Córdoba, Spain d Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy E-mail: Maria J. Melo <[email protected] <[email protected]>>______________________________________________Maria Joao MeloFull Professor | Department of Conservation and Restoration NOVA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | NOVA FCT Universidade NOVA de LisboaCampus de Caparica | 2829-516 Caparica | Portugal--- Conservamos: Guía Técnica de Preservación en Bibliotecas, vol. 17 2025 Biblioteca Nacional de Colombia <https://www.bibliotecanacional.gov.co/es-co> We're inviting you to read our latest issue of the magazine from the Centro de Conservación de la Biblioteca Nacional de Colombia/ the Center of Conservation from the National Library of Colombia. You can find it here: 313858 <https://catalogoenlinea.bibliotecanacional.gov.co/client/es_ES/search/asset/313858> bit.ly/conservamos-17 <http://bit.ly/conservamos-17> Articles/ Artículos: Las pistas de la biblioteca personal de José Asunción Silva Una reflexión sobre los riesgos de una biblioteca patrimonial Aprendizajes en la conservación de una colección fotográfica El aceite de geranio como potencial agente fungicida Los hallazgos sobre la materialidad de 38 libros del Fondo Antiguo de la BNC Cordial saludo.DARÍO RODRÍGUEZ Químico Consultor en ConservaciónLuz Stella Villalba Corredor Bacterióloga / MSc. Microbiología Ambiental U. Nacional DEPARTAMENTO DE ANÁLISIS Y CONTROL Coordinadora Área de Biología - Microbiología Darío Alberto Rodríguez Ramírez Químico - Esp. Gerencia y Gestión Cultural U. Rosario DEPARTAMENTO DE ANÁLISIS Y CONTROL Coordinador Área Físico - Química Fabio Enrique Páez Villamizar Restaurador Bienes Culturales Muebles – Univ. Externado de Colombia Esp. Productividad y Calidad Conv. F.U. Autónoma de Col. / Alta Tecnología DEPARTAMENTO DE CONSERVACIÓN Y RESTAURACIÓN Diagonal 42 A No. 19 - 17 Of./ Laboratorio 301Bogota, Colombia www.haerentia.com <http://www.haerentia.com/> E-Mail: [email protected] <[email protected]> --- ARC-Nucléart treats a wide variety of collections every year! Among the elements that can be covered for biocidal treatments are paintings. It is unfortunately not uncommon to discover mould and/or insects nestled in frames, when the conditions of conservation or display are not appropriate. ARC-Nucléart recently received two portraits painted on canvas, belonging to the collections of the Département de la Savoie in France. In order to ensure their conservation, these paintings have benefited from a treatment by exposure to gamma radiation: a non-invasive disinfestation technique. Thanks to ARC-Nucléart's gamma irradiator, it is possible to effectively eliminate insects or microorganisms, without contact, without chemicals, without direct contact with toxic materials and in complete safety for the artworks, which can also be treated with their packaging. Thank you to the Département de la Savoie for his trust. ARC-Nucléart is always delighted to be able to contribute to the conservation of Savoyard's collections! ARC-Nucléart: Overview | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/arc-nucl%C3%A9art/>Département de la Savoie: Overview | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/savoieledepartement/> Laurent Cortella [email protected] <[email protected]> +33 (0)4 38 78 33 76 ARC-Nucléart Commissariat à l'énergies atomique et aux énergies alternatives 17, avenue des Martyrs F38054 Grenoble Cedex 9 +33 (0)4 38 78 35 52 [email protected] <[email protected]> www.arc-nucleart.fr <http://www.arc-nucleart.fr/> ------------------------------ Valeria Orlandini Conservator of Works on Paper and Photographic Materials Chevy Chase MD (301) 657-2682 ------------------------------ 7.From: Sara Hindmarch Posted: Tuesday July 29, 2025 5:59 PM Subject: Upcoming Opportunity: Obama Presidential Center Art Maintenance and Conservation Services RFP Message: The Obama Presidential Center is seeking candidates for our Art Maintenance and Conservation Services RFP. If your organization is interested in potentially collaborating with us on the documentation and maintenance of our Public Art collection we would be happy to share our Request for Proposals (RFP) for your consideration. The Foundation will be requesting submission through written responses and will follow up with in-person or virtual meetings. We will be sending the RFP in the coming weeks. The Foundation requires the execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to the release of the RFP. If you wish to be added to the RFP release list please use the link below to complete the Non disclosure agreement, and make sure to choose "OPC Art Maintenance and Conservation Services RFP" as your RFP name. More information and a link to the NDA is here! <https://assets.ctfassets.net/l7h59hfnlxjx/6uHScDPMfY1oocsTt0YMzo/46a494d0e582194c0ca938f8ff7fada8/OPC_Art_Maintenance_One_Pager.pdf> We look forward to hearing from you! -Sara -- Sara Hindmarch Collections Manager, Obama Presidential Center Museum Sign up for our Chicago E-Newsletter <https://www.obama.org/presidential-center/chicago/community-newsletter/> Obama Foundation <https://www.obama.org/?utm_source=sig&utm_medium=email> 5235 S Harper Ct. Suite 1140 Chicago, IL 60615 she | her | hers pronouns You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
