Conservation of Wooden Objects

Contents: Preface. List of illustrations. 1. Introduction. 2. Wood as material for art objects. 3. Deterioration of wood. 4. Conservation of wood. Bibliography. Index.

"The book deals exhaustively with conservation of our ancient heritage existent in the form of wooden artefacts. This volume contains four chapters. The first chapter deals with the history of use of wood, location of wooden artefacts and the need to review our policy of acquisition of artefacts. The second highlights the information on the source of wood, identification, properties of wood, and techniques of making wooden objects. The third one explains the deterioration mechanism of wood substance and other constituents by various agencies of degradations, inherent structural defects and need for proper examination and documentation to decide on the treatment required. The final chapter details the conservation technology for wooden objects explaining the steps in eradication of biodeterioration, cleaning, physical repairs, restoration/retouching and preventive measures. No doubt this book should serve as a valuable guide to archaeologists, conservators and students of museology." (jacket)