Preservation of Wallpapers As Parts of Interiors
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Kadri Kallaste Kadri Kallaste (b. 1983) trained as a paper conservator Kadri Kallaste at the Estonian Academy of the Arts. She has also studied in the Restoration Department of the University of Ljubljana and the Institute for Conservation and Restoration of the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. During her studies, she has had several internships in PRESERVATION various institutions, including the Conservation Center Kanut and Estonian Art Museum in Tallinn, the National OF WALLPAPERS Archive of Slovenia in Ljubljana and Cole & Son Ltd., a manufacturer of hand-printed wallpapers in London. Kadri Kallaste’s main area of study is the research and practical preservation of historic wallpapers AS PARTS OF in situ. She has worked on numerous wall-paper preservation projects in Estonia and abroad, including objects in Austria and at the German INTERIORS Wallpaper Museum in Kassel, Germany. PRESERVATIONOF WALLPAPERS PRESERVATIONOF AS PARTS OF INTERIORS AS PARTS Preservation of wallpapers as parts of interiors. Addressing issues of wallpaper conservation on the basis of projects carried out in Austria, Estonia and Romania Although wallpapers form a unified whole with other decorative details of interiors, very few of them are preserved in their original locations. At the same time, contemporary conservation theory emphasizes the importance of preserving wallpapers in their primary locations. Obviously, conflicts arise between practical preservation options, expectations of the public or owners and widely acknowledged preservation principles. If in preserving historic wallpapers in their original location in situ is not feasible, other solutions should be considered carefully. Depending on several criteria, wallpapers can be returned to their original locations after conservation treatment, integrated into new appropriate environments or preserved in museums. The goal of the thesis is to discuss and develop a set of methodological guidelines helpful in maintaining historic wallpapers, preserved either intact or in fragments, as parts of interiors. Kadri Kallaste Preservation of Wallpapers as Parts of Interiors. Addressing Issues of Wallpaper Conservation on the Basis of Projects Carried out in Austria, Estonia and Romania Ajalooliste tapeetide säilitamine interjööris. Ajalooliste tapeetide konserveerimise problemaatika käsitlus Austrias, Eestis ja Rumeenias läbiviidud projektide põhjal Dissertationes Academiae Artium Estoniae 1 2 PRESERVATION OF WALLPAPERS AS PARTS OF INTERIORS Addressing Issues of Wallpaper Conservation on the Basis of Projects Carried out in Austria, Estonia and Romania Doctoral thesis Doktoritöö Estonian Academy of Arts Faculty of Art and Culture, Department of Conservation and Cultural Heritage 2013 3 Kadri Kallaste Preservation of Wallpapers as Parts of Interiors. Addressing Issues of Wallpaper Conservation on the Basis of Projects Carried out in Austria, Estonia and Romania Ajalooliste tapeetide säilitamine interjööris. Ajalooliste tapeetide konserveerimise problemaatika käsitlus Austrias, Eestis ja Rumeenias läbiviidud projektide põhjal Doctoral thesis / Doktoritöö Juhendajad / Supervisors: Prof. Krista Kodres Mag. Markus Krön Eelretsensendid / External Reviewers: Prof. Anne van Grevenstein-Kruse Dr. Hilkka Hiiop Oponent / Opponent: Prof. Anne van Grevenstein-Kruse Avalik kaitsmine / Public defence: 19.11.2013 Inglisekeelse teksti toimetaja / English text revised by: Richard Adang Kujundus / Design: Tuuli Aule Fotod / Photos: Kadri Kallaste, reproduktsioonid / reproductions Digitaalsed sisevaated / Renderings: Kadri Tamre Trükk / Print: Alfapress OÜ © Kadri Kallaste, 2013 © Eesti Kunstiakadeemia / Estonian Academy of Arts 2013 ISBN 978-9949-467-43-3 Väljaandmist on toetanud / With the support of: 4 PART I: Wallpapers in historic interiors and how to approach them Introduction 13 Choice of topic 20 Conservation task and its aims 21 Objects of research 22 Structure of the thesis 24 Historiography and sources 26 1. Types of wallpaper and the historic decorative schemes of interiors 31 1.1. Early wallpapers 34 1.2. Wallpaper in 18th-century interiors 38 1.3. Wallpaper in 19th-century interiors 58 1.4. Wallpaper at the beginning of the 20th century 76 1.5. Wallpapers in Estonian interiors 77 1.6. Conclusion 104 2. Methods of wallpaper production and mounting 107 2.1. Preparing the paper base 110 2.2. Methods of printing 111 2.2.1. Stencilling 111 2.2.2. Block printing 114 2.2.3. Flocking 116 2.2.4. Surface printing 118 2.2.5. Embossing 122 2.3. Materials used for production 123 2.3.1. Paper 123 2.3.2. Pigments and paint 124 2.4. Historical methods of mounting wallpapers 127 2.5. Conclusion 136 5 3. Discussing principles of conservation 137 3.1. Values of conservation objects 139 3.2. Consideration of conservation solutions 145 3.3. Definition of conservation 148 3.4. Conclusion 160 4. Preservation of a wallpaper as a part of an interior 161 4.1. Damages and their causes 165 4.2. Methods for preserving wallpaper in interiors 171 4.2.1. Monitoring 171 4.2.2. Textual documentation 171 4.2.3. Visual documentation 173 4.2.4. Research 174 4.2.5. Testing paint and paper 175 4.2.6. Dismounting a packing 176 4.2.7. Surface cleaning 182 4.2.8. Consolidation 186 4.2.9. Facing 190 4.2.10. Washing 192 4.2.11. Bleaching 195 4.2.12. In-filling in situ 196 4.2.13. Lining 198 4.2.14. Remounting 202 4.2.15. Retouching 207 4.2.16. Conclusion 214 5. Case studies of conservation objects 217 5.1. Puurmani manor, Jõgeva County, Estonia 219 5.1.1. History of the building 219 5.1.2. Situation preceding conservation 220 5.1.3. Conservation concept and treatment 226 5.2. Freyschlösschl, Salzburg, Austria 236 5.2.1. History of the building 236 5.2.2. Situation preceding conservation 237 5.2.3. Conservation concept and treatment of the Zirbenstube wallpaper 238 6 5.2.4. Conservation concept and treatment of the Wappentapete wallpaper 238 5.2.5. Conservation concept and treatment of the Schablonentapete wallpaper 243 5.3. Theodor Aman Museum, Bucharest, Romania 246 5.3.1. History of the building 246 5.3.2. Situation preceding conservation 247 5.3.3. Conservation concept and treatment 248 5.4. Esterházy Palace, Eisenstadt, Austria 256 5.4.1. History of the building 256 5.4.2. Princess’ bedroom. Situation preceding 258 conservation 5.4.3. Conservation concept and treatment 260 5.4.4. Princess’ writing room. Situation preceding conservation 266 5.4.5. Conservation concept and treatment 268 5.5. Estonian Literary Museum, Tartu, Estonia 272 5.5.1. History of the building 272 5.5.2. Situation preceding conservation 273 5.5.3. Conservation concept and treatment 274 6. Methodological conclusions 283 Summary 293 PART II: Documentation I Documentation of the wallpapers in the Puurmani manor dining room 301 II Documentation of the wallpapers in the Estonian Literary Museum 333 7. Kokkuvõte. Ajalooliste tapeetide säilitamine interjööris. Ajalooliste tapeetide konserveerimise problemaatika käsitlus Austrias, Eestis ja Rumeenias läbiviidud projektide põhjal 353 8. Sources and bibliography 369 7 I am thankful to all the people and institutions that supported the completion of this thesis. I would like to express my special gratitude and appreciation to my supervisors, Professor Krista Kodres and Mag. Markus Krön. In addition to that I am very grateful to my numerous consultants and contributors: Maris Allik, Karen Beauchamp, Sigrid Gerlitz, Dr. Hilkka Hiiop, Markus Maria Gottfried, Merike Kiipus, Margit Kopp,Tiiu Lõhmus, Mari Nõmmemaa, Heige Peets, Ioan D. Popa, Simona Predescu, Dr. Anneli Randla, Prof. Mara Reissberger, Kristiina Ribelus, John Henry Rogers, Vilja Sillamaa, Kadri Tael, Kadri Tamre, Viljar Axel Vissel. 8 Tänan kõiki isikuid ja institutsioone, kes on toetanud selle töö valmimist. Eelkõige soovin südamest tänada oma doktoritöö juhendajaid, professor Krista Kodrest ja Markus Kröni. Lisaks sellele olen väga tänulik oma paljudele konsultantidele ja mõttekaaslastele: Maris Allik, Karen Beauchamp, Sigrid Gerlitz, dr. Hilkka Hiiop, Markus Maria Gottfried, Merike Kiipus, Margit Kopp, Tiiu Lõhmus, Mari Nõmmemaa, Heige Peets, Ioan D. Popa, Simona Predescu, dr. Anneli Randla, prof. Mara Reissberger, Kristiina Ribelus, John Henry Rogers, Vilja Sillamaa, Kadri Tael, Kadri Tamre, Viljar Axel Vissel. 9 10 PART I WALLPAPERS IN HISTORIC INTERIORS AND HOW TO APPROACH THEM 11 12 INTRODUCTION 13 14 Introduction Wallpaper has been used for at least four hundred years as a material to decorate walls in public and domestic interiors. Like carpets and textiles, a wallpaper was chosen to make a room fashionable, to complement its architecture and provide a uni- fying background for its furnishings. Once applied to the wall, however, wallpaper became a part of the structure.1 Unlike car- pets, textiles and other furnishings, wallpaper could seldom be removed and incorporated into another decorative scheme. Although the first thing a new owner usually did was to per- sonalise by redecorating, removing or covering up the evidence of previous inhabitants,2 it is surprising how many examples of historic wallpapers can still be seen in situ or in museums. There are multiple reasons why many examples of historic wallpapers have survived, for example they were either pre- served consciously, were pasted over and have thus survived under other decorative layers or were collected by individuals or various institutions. Ideally wallpaper was supposed to form a unified structure with other decorative details of interiors. It can provide the con- temporary researcher with