Szilágyi András (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 27. (Budapest, 2009)

Emese PÁSZTOR - Márta TÓTH - Anikó PATAKI - Andrea VÁRFALVI: Turkish Cases from the Esterházy Treasury

menting the motifs subsequently. After unstitching and making smooth the tangled metal wires, I reaffixed them in their original places. I retained as many as I could, their condition permitting. Schedule for the conservation of the leather Our aim was the retention and the putting back of the original materials, for which there was a good chance, on account of the successful conservation of other leather of a similar kind. The method for the conservation of the lining and the back panel, which could both be compared to archaeological leather, was worked out bv Márta K. Bendefy, a chemist. During the work, she and I consulted continually. This method employed was the same as that used for the conservation of bow-case no. I; a detailed description of this undertaking can be read in the preceding section. Steps in the conservation of the leather 1. Gentle wiping of the surface of the leather to remove the dust 2. Slow moistening between blotting paper and damp cloths in a wrapping of plastic film 3. Softening and moistening of the borders at the edges 4. Removal of corrosion products from the leather by means of compresses 5. Cleaning of the leather with solution of detergent 6. Soaking to aid softening: in a mixture of tertiary butyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol and hoof oil 7. Laying out in the right shape, slow drying, repeated kneading during drying, application of the softening liquor, adjustment to the right shape Results of the treatment After moistening, cleaning and softening, the leather pieces recovered their flexibility.