This Mognat of Paris family steamer trunk ca 1900, has been round the world many times. The heirs brought it to us to clean, stabilize the inner lining, create new handles, and to preserve the character of the outer trunk memories if possible — stickers!
We do not often have the opportunity to conserve trunks
but this was a beloved family members trunk,
and the family wants to be able to gently use it in their home.
ASSESSMENT
Above, a basic slideshow showing all sides.
Note the color difference in the front of the trunk and the bottom —
the front and sides once showed off this lovely patterning!
We hope to remove enough grime that we can again see the patterning.
Details of the front.
Note the original handle?
This is the pattern of the handle we will recreate not only
for the front, but the sides as well.
Examples of sticker and labels we will attempt to preserve.
The upper insert with its degrading lining and ties will be removed, cleaned, and stabilized. The bottom and top lining is in good condition: we will test it for cleaning
and see if it is a good candidate for cleaning while attached.
Note the strapping’s jacquard has the Mognat name woven into the fabric, image 6 above.
EXCAVATION
The original leather handle was removed as it was terribly degraded:
we will use this as a pattern to create three new handles,
as the handles on each side are missing.
Note the color difference in the front of the trunk and the bottom —
the front and sides once showed off this lovely patterning!
We hope to remove enough grime that we can again see the patterning.
PREP WORK
The strapping leather for the handles is hand-dyed:
Three to four layers will be sewn together to create each handle.
EDIT: Though we created strap leather for the trunk we did not using it.
This leather will not be wasted — it is a color that is often found in many chairs and other pieces. However, the leather we are using for the handles replacement will
be matched to the cleaned leather, which is much lighter in color.
CLEANING
We test cleaned the left-facing outside back of the trunk, beginning with the least
invasive to the most invasive. The trunk is covered with a type of oil cloth; because of this, we decided not to test Vulpex because of its tremendous ability to remove oils —
it might damage the oil cloth. We always start with distilled water.
Neither distilled water nor Orvus really had any impact. We finally tried a mild solution
of Borax and organic unscented dishwashing detergent, followed by rinsing.
This moved the grime without damaging the oil cloth!
The entire exterior of the chest was carefully cleaned using this protocol.
After cleaning, the leather was treated to retard the spread of
red rot and degradation using Klucel G.
INSIDE / OUTSIDE
INSIDE
The upper insert with its degrading lining (above) and ties
were removed, cleaned, and stabilized with small reparations as necessary.
Bottom and top lining was in good condition: we tested it for cleaning
to see if it is a good candidate for cleaning while attached.
To begin, we thoroughly vacuuming the textile insert to remove debris, and also find missing tacks. Some of the “dirt” on the inside top was removed with the vacuum
around the main lock when it
came to us, shown left.
We would prefer to carefully reglue
it as we have done below in
corners because original parts are
important to collectors.
While this is a piece for our
clients, unless directed to replace
it we will not; our clients concured.
However, we hand-dyed fabric
along with our internal gimp in
case we need any bits with which
to lay behind it before regluing,
shown right.
Above, we carefully reglued tattered ends using a water soluble glue.
The sagging ripping insert lining was in decent condition, above.
We used a very sharp blade to remove it (it was tucked deep into the crevices).
Additionally it was glued into corners and along a flange coming from under
the top inserted shelf. We were to reuse the original lining.
This original insert lining was gently cleaned, blocked, and backed with
a second lining underneath to stabilize the original (no images).
A small gimp trim (reversible as it is applied with water soluble glue) was
the only visible new addition to the the clothing insert tray.
Additionally, the inner handles and strappings were gently cleaned while attached.
OUTSIDE
The exterior of the steamer trunk was very grimy and had what appeared to be very old gum attached to it. First the metal parts were cleaned, but not overly brightened.
Our goal was to have the trunk appear old and well-appointed, rather than new.
Finally the body of the exterior of the trunk
was gently cleaned of layers of grime, above and below.
When the cleaning was complete, we could see a real difference.
The aging wood was treated to layers of new platina shellac, which we make ourselves, which warmed the color of the wood without changing the original color.
The trunk was waxed with clear Black Bison to protect it in future.
Leather handles were created, fitted and ready for installation, above.
We had to wait a long time
for proper rivets during this pandemic!
Rivets installed, finally, below!
COMPLETION
A few images of the trunk before and after treatment:
After
The interior cleaned up nicely!
Before
After
Once again, the steamer trunk will be put
into gentle use in the family home.
Written by Kate Powell ©MPF Conservation.
May be printed for your own use ONLY, not for use on blogs without permission.
