Connecting to Collections Care

 View Only

  • 1.  Recommendations for protecting rusting iron lamp until we can get a conservator.

    Posted 01-30-2024 11:04

    Hello! I have a 95 year old iron lamp which is starting to rust at its base. What can we do to stabilize this piece until we can get a conservator to treat it? A colleague suggested Renaissance wax, but we wanted to post here first and see if anyone else has dealt with a similar issue.

    We are in the process of applying for a CAP but I know they can't look at items on an individual basis. Where the lamp is located does not have reliable environmental controls for temp/humidity, so we want to make sure it doesn't get worse until we can get funding for a conservator. Below are images of the rusting lamp and its twin that isn't rusting for comparison. Neither lamp has been treated in at least five years, rust only started to appear as of June 2023.

    A close up view of the circular base of an iron lamp showing bright orange rust
    a close up view of the circular base of an iron lamp

    This is my first time posting here, but thank you to this community because I've already learned so much from the previous discussion threads!

    -Mallory M



    ------------------------------
    Mallory Moxley
    Archivist
    Bok Tower Gardens
    Lake Wales FL
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Recommendations for protecting rusting iron lamp until we can get a conservator.

    Posted 01-31-2024 11:51

    Hi Mallory, 

    Thanks for reaching out to the C2C Care Community! I'm going to check in with one of our experts to confirm what I'm thinking, and will be back in touch shortly.

    Best,

    Liz



    ------------------------------
    Elizabeth Peirce
    Connecting to Collections Care Monitor 1/22-2/4
    Conservator (Objects)
    Library of Congress
    Washington DC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Recommendations for protecting rusting iron lamp until we can get a conservator.

    Posted 01-31-2024 14:56

    Hi Mallory,

     

    Congrats on your first post!  My recommendation is that you put it in a sealed container with silica gel to lower the humidity as much as possible. You can find silica gel and RH monitoring strips at Talas, Gaylord, and other reputable conservation supply stores.  Waxing metals was considered good practice for a long time. The reality is that it doesn't really protect the surface and can cause issues down the road because it is difficult to remove. It can also cause dust and dirt to stick to the surface which can be aesthetically and chemically an issue for the surface in the long run. There are other coatings that a conservator would recommend and apply to protect the surface that would be better for the artifact. In the meantime, the best thing to do is to keep it as dry as possible until a conservator can have a look. Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

     

    Kate

     

     

     

    A black letter f in a yellow circle Description automatically generated with low confidence  A logo of a camera Description automatically generated with low confidence  A black and gold circle with a letter in it Description automatically generated with low confidence  A black bird in a circle Description automatically generated with medium confidence

    Katherine Ridgway

    State Archaeological Conservator

    Department of Historic Resources

     

    Email  katherine.ridgway@dhr.virginia.gov

    Phone  804-482-6442

    Title: line art

     

    2801 Kensington Ave, Richmond, VA 23221

    www.dhr.virginia.gov

     

     




    Original Message


Related Content