Parchment Conservation

Specially prepared and stretched animal skins have been used as a support for documents, books and artwork for centuries.  The skins provide a beautiful and translucent support, however, they are also very responsive to changes in the environment.  Many of the parchment items that we have worked on have become rippled from poor display and storage conditions.  These documents can be carefully humidified and stretched to reduce the appearance of distortions.  To help prevent or slow down the rippled appearance from returning, certain elements need to be taken into consideration when re-framing such as edge mounting using Japanese strips on the parchment to help keep even tension overall and incorporating materials within the framing package to help buffer changes in humidity.

Treatment Examples (click on the image for more information):