PRESERVATION OF WALLPAPERS AS PARTS OF INTERIORS

Preservation of wallpaper as a part of interiors
This method was used to treat the wallpapers of the Puurmani
manor. Since the majority of the wallpaper was treated in
situ, minor losses, such as scratches, nail holes, insect holes and
canals, were filled with a paper pulp made of Japanese paper
(Gampi, 36 g/m 2 ), smoothed to the level of the original, left to dry
and retouched. Since the wallpaper did not have an embossed
texture, the pulp created a smooth surface that perfectly levelled
off with the original fabric.
The second method of filling losses in situ has been described
by Thomas K. McClintock. Applying shaped patches from the
front is an option best suited to in situ projects. 370 A tracing needs
to be made of each loss and, since the patches are less secure
after adhesion, they have to cover some portion of the original
wallpaper. 371 (Fig. 95) For filling losses in situ, acid-free paper
with a comparable tone, weight and texture should be used to
form a visually unified appearance. Hundreds of small losses
caused by mechanical damage in the wallpaper found in the
Estonian Literary Museum were filled with original material
removed from behind the radiator and above the oven in the
same room. Where possible, pieces with matching segments of
pattern were used to complete the unity. The remaining losses
were covered with pieces with a plain background colour, which
formed a good basis for retouching and in-painting.
4.2.13. Lining
Lining, or backing, involves the attaching of an overall secondary
structural support to the primary support of an original work
of art or artefact. 372 Since lining with another material, such as
paper and/or canvas, has been a common approach with the
majority of historic wallpapers, applying a new layer of lining
can be easily justified. The poor state of many primary supports
caused by inherent weaknesses and/or subsequent external damage,
and the need for reinforcement due to the nature of the size,
370
McClintock, “Compensating for Losses in Historic Wallpapers”, 149.
371
Ibidem.
372
“Lining”, Cool Conservation http://cool.conservation-us.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/pcc/
29_lining.pdf.
198