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Restoration of letters patent and archive documents The Department of the History of Russian Culture has charge of a unique collection of letters patent and archive documents from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They include documents and decrees personally signed by Peter the Great with his notes; autograph manuscripts by the Emperor's associates and also letters patent issued by Catherine I, Catherine II, Alexander I and Nicholas I. These instruments of state and historical documents were written on parchment using a variety of graphic techniques (ferro-gall ink, gold, silver, gouache, printed text). Many of them carry wax or sealing-wax seals either attached to the document directly or by means of a cord. The documents were folded up (once or twice) and heavily deformed. The parchment had dried out excessively. The seals, too, were in a very poor condition with the majority broken. The main problem that has to be tackled when restoring items on parchment is reversing the deformation and over-dryness of the parchment base that are caused by abrupt changes in temperature and humidity. Deformation and over-dryness can lead to text and image pealing away with the consequent irreversible destruction of the item. The main task for V.I. Khovanova, the restorer from the Laboratory for Scientific Restoration of Works of Graphic Art, was the correct choice of method for moistening and straightening out the parchment. The material will not take direct moistening, and so the Hermitage uses the method of removing deformations in parchment inside a humidifying chamber. After the humidifying chamber the parchment is pressed using fairly small weights, the seals being protected by thick collars. In the majority of cases the great degree of deformation and dryness of the parchment meant the moistening process was repeated several times. The paint layer and ferro-gall ink recovered their original qualities and good attachment to the parchment. The patches of discoloration present on some of the documents were reduced by dry means (using a scalpel) and semi-dry means (a weak 1% solution of chloramine B). Restoration work was carried out on a number of seals. The silk ribbons were cleaned of superficial grime, washed and ironed. Fractures and lost fragments were stuck back and made good using Japanese paper selected for colour and thickness close to the original. A special mount was made for each exhibit from museum cardboard that will protect the document from unfavourable external factors. |
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Copyright © 2006 State Hermitage Museum |
