PRESERVATION OF WALLPAPERS AS PARTS OF INTERIORS

Preservation of wallpaper as a part of interiors
For instance, the embossed wallpapers from the Theodor
Aman Museum had been extensively retouched using an
unknown paint in an inappropriately dark and glittering tone
during a previous conservation treatment. (Fig. 104)
Since it was impossible to remove the retouches, it was decided
to cover them with opaque glazing, which would help to re-create
the aesthetic unity of the object. If the wallpaper had been exhibited
without additional treatment, the retouched areas would have
dominated the original and created a patchy outcome.
4.2.16. Conclusion
Wallpapers are fragile over-sized paper objects integrated into
an interior. Since they cover large areas, they are vulnerable to
various types of damage. Any kind of damage can be minimized
by regular monitoring and constant care, as the main harm is
caused by humans. Thus, besides practical conservation, it is
also important to inform the public of the importance of historic
wallpapers and options for their better preservation.
According to contemporary conservation theory, historic
fixtures and applications, such as wallpapers, should not be
separated from their original environments and should be preserved
in their original locations. As mentioned above, this is
not always possible. Depending on the circumstances, there are
various scenarios for preserving a wallpaper in an interior. The
task of conservators is to develop the most suitable preservation
treatment by combining various methods of practical conservation.
This depends on the results of monitoring and research
preceding the conservation process.
Basically, all paper conservation methods can be applied to
preserve historic wallpapers. However, to maintain them as a
part of interiors, additional treatments inherent to the preservation
of other materials need to be implemented. For example,
similarly to painted surfaces, wallpapers can be retouched to
restore their aesthetic appearance. However, when returning
a wallpaper to its original location one should pay attention to
the mounting method, which should follow the properties of the
original method, as well as the dimensions of the room.
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