As a general rule, a mounting method is safe for an artifact if it can be used without damaging or staining, or leaving a residue on the artifact. In the case of wax, the residue has to be removed with a mineral spirits solvent. This can be safely done only on materials where the solvent (and the wax) will not be absorbed, and will not stain. 

I would not use Museum Wax on jewellery. Even with very small amounts of wax, pressure is needed to make/break contact between the wax and the artifact. This can distort the metal. Wax residue is difficult to clean off completely unless it is on a non-porous (such as glazed ceramics) or polished surface (such as a smooth, uncorroded metal). Any residue that is left on the artifact after an exhibit remains sticky and attracts dust.

Whenever possible, I sew jewellery to cloth-covered mounting boards. Only a few stitches are needed to hold it in place and prevent it from moving due to vibration.  To make the mount, I use acid-free board and polyester fabric that is glued to the board only at the back. The colour of the thread matches the artifact or the display fabric. In addition, the board can be secured to vertical, slanted or flat display walls with pins or double-sided tape.

Some beautiful work has also been done using thin brass wire mounts to display gold jewellery.  The wire has to be covered with tubing so it does not scratch the artifact.



 
Margot Brunn
Conservator 
Provincial Museum of Alberta
12845 - 102 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 0M6
Tel: 780-453-9167, Fax: 780-454-6629
http://www.cac-accr.ca/arg_mann.html


-----Original Message-----
From: Jason Aikens [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 9:49 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Quake Hold Museum Wax


Does anyone out there know if Museum Wax is archivally safe for mounting
metals such as gold and bronze?

I see that Museum Wax is advertised in archival catalogs as being safe for
mounting ceramics but there is no mention of metals.

Our museum has some some jewelry on exhibit but we have problems with
vibrations in the builing.

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