PRESERVATION OF WALLPAPERS AS PARTS OF INTERIORS

Preservation of wallpaper as a part of interiors
object and a part of a historic interior. In addition, the removal
of wallpaper destroys its historical integrity and the original
method by which it was applied to the wall. The way that seams
of wallpaper were originally put together, wrinkles that were
put into the paper when it was first hung, and the type of paste
used to hang the wallpaper are considered relevant elements
directly related to the historical integrity of the wallpaper. These
elements may be changed or destroyed if in situ conservation
treatments are not used. 325
Wallpaper should be removed only in exceptional cases.
For example, since wallpaper is supposed to be aesthetically
appealing, its removal might enable a conservation specialist to
get a better result by treating its material. Instead of a limited
number of conservation methods being available, dismounted
strips can be treated more thoroughly. Moreover, if the walls
under the wallpaper need to be consolidated or if a building is
being demolished, valuable wall covers need to be removed.
If certain conservation treatments (for example treating
major mechanical damages or replacing a lining canvas) need
to be carried out partially, or a segment of a wall decoration is
planned to be exhibited, dismounting only a few strips can be
considered. The rest should be conserved, covered up and preserved
in situ.
Before removing the wallpaper, one should pay close attention
to documenting the original method of mounting. It is necessary
to photograph, describe and map the sequence of strips
and additional applications (borders, corner pieces, dados etc.),
properties of the mounting system and damages to avoid possible
confusion when reassembling and remounting the wallpaper.
An unambiguous and easy-to-follow numbering system
for the maps and removed pieces needs to be developed prior
to the removal.
When removing a wallpaper hung on canvas, large sections
or whole walls of wallpaper can be removed by dismounting
wooden frames or releasing canvas from nails and taking the
325
Gilmore, “Wallpaper and its Conservation – an Architectural Conservator’s Perspective”,
http://cool.conservationus.org/jaic/articles/jaic20-02-005_indx.html.
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