When first viewing the Bannière de Ste-Anne de Caraquet
(152 cm by 91 cm excluding the cross and finials), one immediately
focusses on the beautiful decoration — silk embroidery, appliqués,
metallic ribbon, and metallic thread couching that covers almost
the entire front surface. The overall impression is of a beautiful
textile that has been treasured since it was made well over 100
years ago.
Yet time has not been so kind to the fabric that bears all of
this elaborate decoration. The fabric is a warp-faced satin in
which extremely fine and sparsely spaced silk warp yarns cover
much thicker cotton weft yarns. The fineness of the silk warps,
and the fact that silk is very susceptible to light damage, helps
explain its loss in many areas. At first glance, this damage seems
restricted to the centre top and bottom — areas that would
have been subject to the most movement when the banner was prepared
for, and carried in, processions. However, examination under magnification
reveals that the silk warp is broken, or partly or completely
missing, in up to 70% of the total surface area.
A variety of couching and adhesive techniques were used to secure
the loose and drooping cotton wefts. This will prevent them from
shifting and further damaging the adjacent silk. The construction
of the banner (front and back panels each consisting of decorated
satin, cotton scrim, and linen lining bound by metallic ribbon
trim) complicated matters because the various layers did not lie
flat and repairs had to be done through the existing areas where
there was loss.
The metallic ribbon and fringe were both cleaned with solvent
to remove oils and salts that might contribute to further corrosion.
The gilded wood cross and finials had cracked, loose and missing
areas of gesso. Although the gold leaf was largely intact on the
cross, because of wear it was missing from much of the finials.
The losses were filled in with gesso and then coated with red
clay bole. Just the areas on the cross were gilded with gold leaf,
and the worn finials were coated with a gilt cream to match surrounding
areas. |
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The banner,
cross and finials were attached to a fabric-covered, padded, solid
support covered by Plexiglas that will protect them during display,
transportation and storage.
The Bannière de Ste-Anne de Caraquet is now on display
at the Musée acadien de Caraquet in Caraquet, New Brunswick.
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