426 (14)

399

Conservation

distortion (leather items shrink by up to 5%). The department routinely employs a rangę of pre-treatments suited to spccific materials, followed by freeze-drying for leather, leather/mctal com-posites (Starling 1984) and wood.

Wet textiles were carefully washed and allowed to air-dry. Chemical treatments were avoided whenever possible to limit interference with any subsequent analysis, such as the identification of tannins and dyestuffs.

After treatment the wooden combs were pack-ed in the standard system, ie in elear polystyrene boxes supported by acid-free tissue or foam.

Previously treated combs which had been stored in cardboard boxes were repacked using this system. Whilst providing good physical protection from handling, these boxes were sufficiently air-tight to create a microclimate in which fungus thurived. The air-dried combs which had soil left between the teelh were particularly attacked. Ali the combs have been fumigated and repacked in acid-free boxes while investigations into morę suitable storage continues. Treated leather is stored in perforated polyethylene bags supported by acid-free card.