Assessing the Indoor Environment for Preventive Textile Conservation

Insights from the Textile Art Museum, Vadodara

Abstract

The conservation of textile collections requires an interdisciplinary approach, as textile objects deteriorate as soon as they are created. Various factors, termed agents of deterioration, can trigger or accelerate this process. The environmental conditions in which collections are kept are influenced by external factors and the ability to control indoor climates. Thus, environmental management aims to reduce the approximate deterioration rate in collections while maintaining access to them. This study evaluates the environmental degradation potential of the indoor climate speciality for valuable textiles housed in the Textile Art Museum in Gujarat, India. The research involved continuous monitoring, recording, and analysing the museum’s “thermo-hygrometric parameters” every year. Data collected were then evaluated through risk assessment using the “control classes” outlined in “ASHRAE Chapter 21”, focusing on physical, chemical, and biological degradation analysis. The findings indicate that the museum's natural hygrothermal conditions offer a reasonable level of protection against degradation, suggesting that installing an HVAC system should only be considered a final measure. For smaller or institutional museums, prioritizing passive environmental strategies is advisable for conservation purposes. Utilizing essential measuring equipment and traditional methods helps preserve the museum space's historical integrity and provides adequate protection for the textiles on display.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46700/asssr/2024/v6/i2/2024120602002