Historical Furniture

Module Synopsis

This module covers the mechanical and physical behaviour of wood used in historical furniture. Traditional adhesives, finishes, and the use of metal fasteners and other various materials are also discussed. Agents of deterioration and their effects are presented, along with methods of minimizing deterioration (including proper storage and display conditions, and handling, examination, and documentation procedures). Common cleaning and treatment options, stabilization and consolidation methods, and the use of solvent tests to estimate how successful the treatment may be are included.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:

• identify the various materials found in historical furniture collections and describe their characteristics
• recognize signs of deterioration and understand the causes
• implement preventive conservation measures for furniture collections
• understand basic cleaning, stabilizing, and consolidation treatments for historical furniture

Units

Composition and Identification
Mechanical and physical behaviour of wood used in furniture. Traditional adhesives, finishes, and metal fasteners. Other materials commonly encountered such as leather writing surfaces, glass mirrors, decorative stone tops, and metal hardware. Technological development of woodworking and associated tools.

Deterioration
Forces that cause deterioration of wood, adhesives, finishes, metal fasteners, and other furniture materials: water, humidity, temperature, gravity, light, pests, inherent material problems dating from the time of manufacture, and human intervention. Desirable conditions for storage, display, and transport.

Handling, Examination, and Documentation
How to avoid negligent handling. Guidelines for examination and documentation. A structured approach to gathering collection survey information. How to rank priorities. Structural and cosmetic defects. Curatorial interpretation.

Preventive Conservation
Preventive conservation and its role in the preservation of cultural heritage. How to achieve desirable environmental conditions through monitoring. Importance of collection surveys. Physical and human factors in making practical improvements in relative humidity, temperature, light, contaminants, housekeeping, integrated pest management, security, fire protection, and emergency preparedness and response.

Interventions
Triage when both structural and cosmetic problems are obvious. Instructions for simple repairs, including the concept of the ‘dry run' and appropriate adhesive choices for wood repairs. Methods to clean a surface. Issues concerning repairs to veneers, paint, and gilding. Solvent tests to help decide if a repair to a finish is likely or even possible. Hands-on sessions.

Target Audience
Conservators, museum technicians, curators, staff, and volunteers responsible for the display, care, and safekeeping of historical furniture collections.

Facilitator(s)
Michael Harrington, James Hay

Language
English

Enrollment Limits
Minimum 10; maximum 15

Duration
2 days

Special Requirements

The host institution must provide:

• display areas or period rooms in historic buildings for illustration and discussion a well-ventilated work area large enough to accommodate 10–15 persons
• 6–8 tables, each approx. 2 m long
• portable lamps
• small extraction fans
• a slide projector and screen
• a flipchart
• a VHS VCR monitor

In addition, it is desirable that the site of the workshop supplies the following:

• four 4-in. (10-cm) throat by 12-in. (30-cm) quick release clamps ("F" clamps) for each table, so that each participant can use two at once
• one laboratory hot plate for each table, extension cords, and sufficient
electrical power that they can all be plugged in simultaneously
• a heavy workbench with a vise
• a power grinder with good tool supports, for tool sharpening
• access to a working table saw