Question Dealing with Tapa Cloth

W.C.Framer

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Apr 10, 2009
Posts
5,784
Loc
Napa, Calif.
Just had a returning customer from the Hawaiian islands come back with a nicely oversized, yet very aged Tapa Cloth artwork.

For reference, Tapa is a bark-based linen cloth, usual from Tropical climes, that is stained or layered to create the artwork. It becomes very brittle on the edges when handled.

I've worked with these before, luckily, but some good conservation questions came up:

Mounting: Although someone else used a paste on a repair piece I did (and pasted the entire cloth to the backboard!), I believe I'll stitch this one one with black or clear thread. What about linen hinge tape or other adhesive-based techniques?

Preservation: Client asked about keeping the cloth from drying out. I'm at a loss here, because I'm only thinking about keeping artwork from getting too humid. Any thoughts?

Client is also 50/50 on UV glazing, but only since there were many other questions. I'll probably push this on the sale since I feel its important.

Looking forward to hearing from y'all!
 
Patches of thin washie paper, (4x4) about every 12" on grid
2" wide helicopter passthough hinges with 2x2 face

OP3
 
Wierd I had one come in yesterday....duct tape on top edge...scotch tape om back to patch a hole...tattered...yea!
 
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