The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the largest university textile collections in the United States. The collection, which includes over 11,000 textiles and costumes, is a rich resource for faculty, students and visitors researching art history, anthropology, fashion and textile design. One of the most valuable groups of textiles in the HLATC is the Pre-Columbian Peruvian collection with fabric fragments dating back to 400 B.C. A recent survey of storage conditions revealed the need to replace inferior mounts and provide new mounts for recently accessioned pieces.

Experts at the HLATC had two primary conservation concerns. The physical fragility of these pieces, which are used for research and display, demanded secure, yet accessible housing. In addition, the fabrics are chemically unstable because of combinations of protein and cellulose fibers, pigments and dyes and soiling and staining. Conservators were concerned about chemical reactions within each ancient artifact that would accelerate deterioration.

Specialists at the HLATC selected Alpharag® Artcare™ to construct custom storage boxes for 48 textiles. Boxes were constructed of an 8-ply Alpharag® ArtcareTM base with 4-ply Alpharag® ArtcareTM window mats stacked to create a “well” for each artifact. A cotton cloth was placed within the well on which to secure textiles and a 4-ply Alpharag® ArtcareTM cover was hinged to the top of the box.



The ArtcareTM technology will counteract the potential negative chemical interactions within the artifacts, thereby enhancing their preservation and inhibiting their deterioration. The storage boxes constructed of Alpharag® ArtcareTM provide physical support that will prevent flexing as these priceless samples are researched and handled. In addition, the ArtcareTM boxes will double as display mats when these artifacts are loaned out for research and exhibition.


8-ply Alpharag Artcare™ to create a strong preservation support for each fabric artifact. 4-ply Alpharag Artcare™ window mats stacked to create a well for each artifact. 4-ply Alpharag Artcare™ cover hinged to the top of each housing. Cotton cloth to secure textiles within each housing.

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