African straw hat

Before Treatment

After Treatment

royal albert memorial museum (UK)

This woven plant fibre hat came into the lab with significant distortion caused by years of improper storage. The treatment started with surface cleaning using a brush, dental vacuum and tweezers to remove accumulated dust. Because it was quite robust, and very set into its distortion, this hat was reshaped in a humidity chamber over the course of several days. The humidity was eventually raised to 90% relative humidity and the padding was adjusted as the humification progressed. While under humidification, additional cleaning was done using a smoke sponge.

This object is now on permanent display so after the humidity was gradually returned to ambient levels, a display mount was designed and created in order to support the crown and the brim. Because the hat was distorted for so long, it is at risk of reverting to some degree of distortion; this mount acts acts as internal padding and serves the additional function of helping the hat maintain its intended shape long term.

Link to Condition Report