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  • 1.  Museum wax alternatives

    Posted 07-18-2022 11:39
    Hi all,

    My museum is working on a small stoneware exhibition and we are concerned about vibrations shifting the objects while they are in the cases. I have read that Museum Wax can stain, so I am hesitant to use it. Are there any alternatives that won't stain the objects (aside from building special mounts) or is Museum Wax the best product for the job? Thanks!

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    Kasey Calnan
    Collections Manager
    Boscobel House and Gardens
    Garrison, NY
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  • 2.  RE: Museum wax alternatives

    Posted 07-18-2022 12:48
    There are examples where Museum Wax has stained porous objects.  Because stoneware is a high-fired ceramic, regardless of whether it has a glaze, it is non-porous.  If you are still concerned about using Museum Wax, some institutions have applied reversible adhesives to temporarily secure their objects.  There was a recent article in the October 2021 issue of Studies in Conservation on this topic. 

    Velagapudi et al. (2021). Finding a Temporary Adhesive for Securing Objects for Display in Earthquake-Prone Regions.  Studies in Conservation. 1-7.

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    Nichole Doub
    Head Conservator
    Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory
    Saint Leonard MD
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  • 3.  RE: Museum wax alternatives

    Posted 07-20-2022 16:21
    Great question! I would also like to know what else is out there. Following.

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    Bonnie Seymour
    Registrar and Assistant Curator
    Nashville TN
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  • 4.  RE: Museum wax alternatives

    Posted 07-21-2022 11:13

    Museums in the UK have found that small, clear self-adhesive silicon rubber bumpons (bumpers or bumper pads in the USA) stuck to the shelf form a safe perimeter which stops most small objects from vibrating around and moving on the shelf or plinth.  Easily removed from the shelf afterwards.

     

    Hope this helps

    Helena