Bob - This doesn't sound like a horrible idea. Since this does not seem to
be a historical artifact that needs to be "conserved" or treated like a
relic, this might do. Keep in mind though that this will be irreversible and
a gourd is porous and will absorb any coating you might put on it. Therefore
the process may change the color or stain it as well as consolidating it.
Without any attention, however it sounds like this particular gourd may not
last. However we have plenty in the collection at OHS that are truly durable
even though the are dry and I would not dare such a process. Less is always
better. Good luck.
Kim Feinknopf-Dorrian
Ohio Historical Society
History Collections Department
1982 Velma Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43211
(614) 298-2052
[log in to unmask]


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Martino [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, September 16, 1999 4:50 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Out of my Gourd
>
> All,
>
> Perkins Observatory has a good old-fashioned "drinking gourd."  i.e. it is
> a real, dried out gourd with a long neck/handle and a hole cut into the
> rounded part.  It was used in the past as a dipper, hence the name.
>
> The gourd has a few cracks on it, however, and is a little fragile.  I
> fixed the cracks with a little white glue, but I'm concerned about it
> getting broken.  I would like to coat the gourd with something to protect
> its surface from wear, and to prevent cracks from forming.  I should
> mention that we use this with our astronomy talks when discussing the "Big
> Dipper."
>
> My thought was to give it a good coating of polyurethane, then spray it
> down with a flat enamel coating to take away the glossy finish.  Do you
> think this will work?
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bob Martino                           "I look up to the heavens
> Assistant Director                     but night has clouded over
> Perkins Observatory                    no spark of constellation
>                                        no Vela no Orion."
> http://www.perkins-observatory.org                     -Enya
>
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