Hi Robin,
I totally agree with Anne about looking for the source of the problem, but I would take it even a step further back and make sure what you are dealing with is
actually mold. I would suggest a website
https://alaskawhitestuffid.wordpress.com/ that we put together up here in Alaska to answer that oft asked question “What’s that white stuff?” Most of the time people think it is mold but there are other things it could be. It is very likely what you are
dealing with is mold but you want to make sure and this website can help.
Once you have determined it is mold, then the first step is to remove it to someplace dry. The mold will go dormant, shrink, turn black. This won’t improve
the situation much but it stop the process and keep it from getting worse. Then you need to consult a conservator about what to do next. With such a complex object there really isn’t a home remedy, no matter what helpful hints you might find out there.
To find a conservator you can consult a local museum or in your case maybe the South Carolina State Museum. I do field services for Alaska through the Alaska
State Museum. There is a similar position listed for the South Carolina museum so you might try contacting
Joann Zeise
Curator of History
South Carolina State Museum
301 Gervais St., Loading Zone D Columbia, SC 29201
803-898-4942
E-mail:
[log in to unmask]
Web: www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org
Or you can also use the American Institute for Conservation’s website to find a conservator in your area.
http://www.conservation-us.org/membership/find-a-conservator#.VQhiSo7F98E
Good luck
Scott
Scott Carrlee
Curator of Museum Services
Alaska State Museums
1-888-913-6873 (Toll-free in Alaska)
907-465-4806
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Anne Lane
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2015 8:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] mold on silk embroidered picture
Robin, before you do anything else, you need to determine what factors in your environment led to mold. Is the piece hanging against an outside wall? If you have climate control in your building, are you able to monitor it, and has something
gone wrong? Also be sure that mold is not growing on other items in the vicinity. Another possible cause would be a leak, even something going on behind the walls.
I'll leave the specific remedies to those with more conservation knowledge than I. As complex an object as this is, I suspect you will want to get a conservator involved.
Best of luck,
Anne
ANNE T LANE
Administrative Support
Mountain Heritage Center
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee NC 28723
828-227-7129
On Mar 17, 2015, at 11:17 AM, Robin wrote: