21mc019-MT-2008_Turin, Galleria Sabauda, F. Van Der Borght, Asia (tape), inv. 776

Facilitated description: 

 

Asia is a tapestry, a great work of fabric that hangs to decorate the walls.
Frans Van des Borght made the tapestry in 1750-1756. 
The tapestry is kept at the Galleria Sabauda in Turin. 
The La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre restored the tapestry in 2008. 
The restorers removed the tapestry from the wall and removed the lining (the canvas behind the tapestry serves to reinforce the tapestry).
They then cleaned the back of the tapestry with a small vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt.
After studying the tapestry and saw the old restorations. They decided to keep the seams of the old restorations.
They cleaned the front of the tapestry to get rid of the dust.
They sewed the unstitched fabric parts.
They washed the tapestry in a large tub with sponges and soap.
They dried the tapestry with cotton cloths and then spread the tapestry over large nets to make it air dry. 
They sewed the damaged parts. 
They put a new lining (reinforcement canvas behind the tapestry). 
In the end, they mounted an adhesive band at the top to expose the tapestry. 

 

 

 

 

Abstract of the intervention:

 

Restoration

The work on the tapestry began with the dismantling of the lining and the suspension system and a dusting of the back with macro-suction to remove dirt deposits. Careful examination of the artifact has made it possible to recognise the selvedges as original (albeit extensively woven), to map previous restoration work and to find traces of an old ‘lozenges’ lining system. At this stage, in agreement with the Directorate of Works, it was decided to keep the camouflage weaving interventions because they are compatible with the original technique and in good condition. The textile surface was then thoroughly dusted with macro-aspiration. Subsequently, the washing preparation operations were started: All weaving parts affected by a lack of textile units, which during immersion in water are more subject to structural or conservative changes, have therefore been stopped. In addition, along the vertical selvedges were sewn the perimeter pockets in heat-sealed mesh, in which to insert the tubes to facilitate the movement of the product in the washing tank. Finally, the color stability was verified.
The washing was carried out by immersion in aqueous solution at parameters controlled using a tubular tank. The washing phases were as follows: first the tapestry was laid out in the open-fronted tank and wetted with sprayers. During this first soak (20-30 minutes), the tapestry loses a significant amount of dirt, so the tank remains open for water recirculation. Subsequently the tapestry is completely immersed in water with the addition of saponin and subjected to cleaning with natural sponges. After several rinses, the textile surface is buffered with honeycomb cotton cloths to remove excess water and then placed on raised nets from the ground for drying at room temperature.
Following the washing, the parts affected by abrasions and loss of yarns were consolidated by applying local linen supports sewn on the back.  For the restoration a silk thread was used very close to the original nuance of the warps.
Finally, the tapestry was re-lined with cotton cloth, sewn on the sides, and was equipped with a Velcro band along the upper side for displaying the article.

 

Bibliography

- E. Ragusa, Sheet 10.2 in De Van Dyck in Bellotto. Splendeurs à la cour de Savoie, C. E. Spantigati, P. Astrua, A. M. Bava, S. Damiano, Torino, Allemandi, 2009, pp. 224-228.