Persian Cross-stitch

Name/Title

Persian Cross-stitch

Description

Persian Cross-Stitch, possibly collected in Ottoman Palestine (not Iran) during late 19th century, early 20th century or brought to Phoebe Hearst when visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912. If belonging to Phoebe Hearst, could be 19th century Ottoman Palestine because she was of Bahá’i faith, she traveled to Ottoman Palestine in 1898, and visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912. Cross stitch has various colors of stitching. Looks like a sample of various stitches; very mixed motif and type of stitch.

Condition

Condition Assessment

Discoloration, Accretion, Missing Areas / Holes, Stains, Soiling/Grime

Date Examined

Apr 9, 2019

Examined By

Tanya Nakamoto

Notes

Staining throughout, some darker like splatters that have formed holes. Some stitching has broken and disintegrated due to either sun damage or abrasion. Colors faded. Wax and other encrustations attached to threads.

Conservation

Conservation Purpose

Cleaning

Treatment

Acute Treatment

Registration

Date(s)

Apr 9, 2019

Treatment Notes

Research, documentation, photos

Acute Treatment

Hepa-Vacuum

Date(s)

Apr 9, 2019

Treatment Notes

Vacuumed

Acute Treatment

Testing

Date(s)

Apr 10, 2019 - Apr 11, 2019

Treatment Notes

Spot cleaned with test solution. Swabs removed degraded threads while cleaning. No change to oily spots. Continued spot cleaning.

Acute Treatment

Lining Support

Date(s)

Apr 24, 2019 - Apr 25, 2019

Treatment Notes

Tea dyed linen pieces to color match for patches.

Acute Treatment

Wet-Clean

Date(s)

Apr 25, 2019 - May 8, 2019

Treatment Notes

Further cleaning with suction platen and cleaning solution: 50 mL Distilled H2O, 2g. Chloramine T, 0.5g bleach gel, 1g. Orvus paste. Diluted and added bleach as needed. Brushed on cyclomethicone solution (91% isopropyl alcohol + Cyclomethicone). Blotted with surgical pads as necessary. Suction platen is lined with two layers Hollytex.

Acute Treatment

Dye

Date(s)

May 8, 2019

Treatment Notes

Dyed patches to sew on reverse.

Acute Treatment

Hand Sewn Repairs

Date(s)

May 8, 2019 - May 15, 2019

Treatment Notes

Began sewing and couching patches with photos taken throughout process. For patches, cut piece larger than hole and machine sewed edge to prevent fraying. Zig-zag sewed around patch with small stitches on face of piece. Couch edge of hole down to patch with small couching stitches.

Acute Treatment

Lining Support

Date(s)

May 16, 2019 - May 17, 2019

Treatment Notes

Cut and sewed edges of lining fabric and began sewing to piece. Completed and took photos.

Acute Treatment

Rehousing

Date(s)

May 20, 2019

Treatment Notes

Rolled onto padded tube.