In 2018, I got the opportunity to do a placement at The National Museum of Denmark for two months. I was placed in a packing project. The National Museum is having a new storage facility which is expected to be done in 2021. The packing project aim is to prepare the object to be transported to the new storage facility. I got to be in the process of packing the Americas ethnographic collection at the main National Museum and also military objects at the Danish War Museum.
Task summary
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Labelling - I got to try 4 types of labelling techniques. These include...
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Writing - by first apply 15w/w% Paraloid B72 in ethanol on the object to make a protective layer and then write the museum number on using ink. Then over it apply another layer of Paraliod B72.
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Tag - This technique is pretty straightforward. By first writing the museum number on a piece of paper and tie it onto the object using a thread. This technique is usually used for a small object that could not be written on, such as strings.
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Sewing - This technique is for textiles. The museum number is written on a cotton tape and sewed on using an overcast stitch. Only take the upper part of the textile while sewing, so the thread would not show on the front side.
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Beva® 371 Film (sheet/tape) - Beva film is a double-sided adhesive film that is activated by heat. This technique is done by adhering the film to a cotton tape (with the museum number) using an iron. Then remove another protective layer to adhere the label onto the object also by using an iron. This technique is used for thick textiles, such as badges or belts.
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Cleaning - Most of the objects in the collection are in good condition and does not require to be cleaned or treated. However, there some that needed to be cleaned or treated. I got to clean by vacuuming around 10 textiles that were attacked by moths.
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Photographing - The objects were photographed in different angles so the object could be recognised and also to record their conditions.
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Packing - Before the project started, the materials used for packing were already been decided, such as acid-free paper and boxes. The aim when packing is to keep the object save while being transported. This is done by ensuring that the objects are will not move around in the box and are also have enough protection and support.