Valuable insights in the ageing of historic tapestries
Historic tapestries woven in renowned European centres from the 15th to the 18th centuries are considered among the most valuable testimonies of European cultural heritage. Their survival is, however, jeopardised by the exponential degradation processes operating in coloured fibres and metal threads due to humidity and light. The MODHT project set out to improve the conditions of conservation for historical tapestries through a better understanding of both the materials and methods applied in their construction and of the mechanisms leading to their degradation. Using state-of-the-art analytical techniques, the project's consortium studied the damaging effects of ageing in models of tapestries and applied their methods to the analysis of samples from Europe's finest tapestries. Wool and silk coloured fibres were prepared according to traditional medieval methods and their colour degradation due to ageing under artificial light was studied with X-Ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS). The established dye degradation profiles enabled researchers to ascertain the identification of dyestuffs in samples retrieved from historical tapestries in collections in Northern and Southern European locations. The assessment of a tapestry's condition obtained is necessary so as to be able to recommend the most appropriate preventive measures, and also to be able to monitor rates of change. The results of damage assessment will additionally help to provide more optimum conditions for storage, continuing display and decisions associated with loans and transportation between exhibitions.
