PRESERVATION OF WALLPAPERS AS PARTS OF INTERIORS

Preservation of wallpaper as a part of interiors
wall cover down, using it as a carrier support. 326 Instead of breaking
the wallpaper into separate strips or segments, dismounting
a wallpaper in large sections reduces further damage to the
whole. The Chinese wallpapers in the Esterházy Palace had been
mounted on wooden frames covered with canvas in the 1960s.
According to the observations of the author, since each segment
had been attached to a separate frame, it was easy to mount
and dismount the panels that needed to be treated. Moreover,
the frames enabled the segments to be easily systematized and
packed for transportation.
Many problems may occur while dismounting wallpapers
attached directly to a wall. If the bond between the wall
and wallpaper is not strong enough, the wall cover should be
removed mechanically, working from behind with a plastic or
horn spatula. (Fig. 81) It is important to remember, however,
that a segment or a strip of wallpaper should be removed from
the wall moving from the bottom upwards. By doing so, the risk
of wallpaper folding down or tearing apart is decreased. Also,
the damage to the paint-layer is reduced. 327
In the Theodor Aman Museum in Bucharest, heavy, embossed
wallpapers were removed by a local conservator from the top
downwards. The decision proved to be unfortunate, since the
released strips bent down under their own weight. This led to
tears and numerous small cracks in the paint and paper, which
needed to be consolidated and retouched later on. (Fig. 82) This
example illustrates the importance of research, evaluating one’s
capabilities and consulting with experts before undertaking any
conservation process.
If wallpaper cannot be removed mechanically, wet, chemical
techniques are used, involving a variety of aqueous solutions
and sprays, and a superheated stream and/or enzymes can be
used to break down the adhesive bond between the paper and
wall. 328 The result depends largely on the adhesive behind the
326
Mapes,“Historic Wallpaper Conservation”,
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/wallpap/wallpap.html.
327
Krön and Kallaste, unpublished manuscript, 2011.
328
Mapes,“Historic Wallpaper Conservation”,
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/wallpap/wallpap.html.
178