PROPERTIES AND PRESERVATION OF ETHNOGRAPHICAL SEMI-TANNED LEATHER

Abstract

In contrast to fully tanned leather, that used by the Canadian Indians and Eskimos has poor durability. When stored under less than ideal conditions it becomes stiff and brittle, and restoration of such artifacts presents problems. The methods used for sound leather, such as fat liquoring or staking, cannot be used once the skin has deteriorated. A method used successfully is described. It consists of soaking the artifact in water to gain pliability and then replacing the water with organic liquid in order to avoid shrinkage on drying. Flexibility is preserved by permeation with an emulsion containing a stabilized olein soap, neat’s-foot oil and ethyl alcohol. Gut-skin may be treated by a modification of this emulsion. Fur poses a lesser problem because the skin is thin and can easily be permeated with an aqueous emulsion of sulfited sperm oil. Several examples of restoration are given.