PRESERVATION OF WALLPAPERS AS PARTS OF INTERIORS

Task of conservation. Case studies
5.2.3. Conservation concept and
treatment of the Zirbenstube wallpaper
Of the wallpaper found in the Zirbenstube, only a small number
of fragments attached directly to the plastered wall had survived.
A Zirbenstube is commonly a rustic living room in Austria and
Bavaria with an interior made of Swiss pine.
Even though about 90% of the object had perished, a few
surviving fragments showed a fine hand-painted wood-grain
imitation of Swiss pine (Zirbe in German). The largest fragment
had survived above a window and depicted a scroll with a sentence
written in Gothic letters. (Fig. 121)
Since the object had lost its physical and visual unity and
there was no evidence of its former appearance, reconstruction
was not justified. Besides, the owners of the building were not
interested in exhibiting a ruin. Since it was necessary to preserve
the object in its original location, it was decided to conserve
the fragments to permit their preservation in situ. Prior to covering
the fragments with a layer of a thin Manila hemp paper
(Fig. 122), they were documented, cleaned and consolidated.
(Fig. 123) Following the conservation treatment, the object was
covered up with panelling. This solution consolidated the current
physical condition of the object and ensured its further existence
in its original location. Even though the fragments cannot
be observed, the new layer can be removed if necessary.
5.2.4. Conservation concept and
treatment of the Wappentapete wallpaper
As its name in German indicates, the Wappentapete depicts a
pattern combining coats-of-arms. Its design imitates a medieval
tapestry with colourful fringes hanging on a wall with the aid
of wooden or metal knobs. The coats-of-arms are arranged in a
symmetrical composition surrounded by stylised eagles, pheasants
and blossoms. (Fig. 124) Unfortunately, it is not known if
the coats-of-arms are fictional or if they refer to a particular
person or location. This would require further research.
The wallpapers had been removed in spring 2011 before the
start of the conservation process and were handed over as a ran-
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