The conservation of a scrap screen from Carlyle's House, London

Abstract

Summary This article describes the extensive conservation work carried out on a four-panelled folding screen covered in 442 prints, drawings and watercolours with a decorative border. The screen was made in 1849 by Jane Carlyle and was from the Carlyle's House in Chelsea, London, a National Trust property. All the components of the screen covering were severely degraded, making local repairs impractical. Therefore, after extensive record taking, the coverings were removed from the wooden frame and the panels built up again using conservation quality materials and including a panel of low density polyethyline foam in the central void of each frame for extra protection. Treatment of the paper items included varnish removal; washing; repairs to tears, punctures and missing areas; before they were replaced on the new panels. The degraded embossed leather covering the edges was also replaced with new leather. Consideration is given to options for sizing and re-varnishing, before reverting to using the traditional materials of gelatine and dammar resin.