CONSERVATION, MOUNTING AND DISPLAY OF TEXTILE HERITAGE

ABSTRACT

The scenario vis-à-vis conservation field had never been that vibrant, as it is in present times. Owing to tremendous increase in awareness and resources in the Indian context, more and more museums, forts, palaces, private collectors and religious organisations and institutions these days are warming up to the concept of preservation and documentation of textile collections. They are also trying to showcase by means of various exhibitions that their collections form an intrinsic part of some or the other history, which could be history of art and design; science and technology; social history; anthropology; cultural and religious landscape; and local history or world cultures.

While exhibiting the textile objects and artefacts, various techniques and methodologies have been adopted by different entities, for the mounting and display of textiles. Some of these incorporated techniques comply with the conservation ethics and help in correct historical interpretation and aesthetic appreciation of fragile and fragmented textile, whereas on the other hand some of the exhibition materials and techniques aggravate the deterioration, besides diminishing the aesthetic essence of the concerned artefact. The textile conservation guidelines mandate it to carryout proper technical research, condition assessment and scientific planning of the mounting and display procedures, before commencing the preservation and conservation of any textile objects. In the context of the sacred textiles which are entwined with religion, encompassing a spiritual message which is beyond artistic form, it becomes even more pertinent and prudent to take into account their cultural and ritualistic significance while planning their conservation, mounting and display methodologies.

To cite a case study for the purpose of illustration, during the course of research survey and conservation assessment conducted by the author, relating to the sacred and religious textiles of Sikh heritage preserved in the Gurudwaras as ‘Guru Sahib Diyan Pawan Nishaniyan’ , the author observed that these textiles and clothing collections have been preserved and exhibited by the community and its custodians with the utmost regard, deep faith and passionate religious fervour, but by mostly using traditional or unscientific methods. The natural ageing is a testimony to the artefacts and must be respected, however, the factors causing the accelerated ageing can’t be overlooked. The religious textile relics in these Gurudwaras are gradually but remarkably deteriorating and are becoming fragile and brittle due to lack of contemporary scientific conservation treatments and unsuitable mountings and display arrangements. Therefore, it is imperative to adhere to compatible preservation and conservation practices in accordance with internationally established scientific norms while planning the conservation, mounting and display methodologies for the religious heritage, especially the textiles and clothing, to preserve it for posterity.

The aim of this presentation is to briefly touch upon the ethical issues that should be considered while planning for conservation, mounting and display of textile collections to be exhibited at various old and modern architectural structures. The presentation would also highlight two-dimensional and three-dimensional display methodologies and the basic materials used for the preventive and curative practices suitable for Indian climatic conditions. 

Last but not the least the author would try to enunciate the significant influence of the perspective, approach and ethical dilemma in integrating contemporary scientific museum methodologies with the conservation, mounting and display of the sacred and religious textiles of Sikh Heritage intertwined with religious beliefs and the Sikh maryada and ethos, while keeping their ritualistic context intact.