Looking after our movable heritage

This regular feature of Heritage NSW provides hands-on advice on the practical care of heritage items. In this issue we look at methods of looking after the diverse range of objects that make up our movable heritage.

Movable heritage includes natural or manufactured objects of heritage significance...   Left: Decorative arts objects stored on metal shelving. Photograph courtesy of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney

Movable heritage includes natural or manufactured objects of heritage significance from small objects, such as fossils, historical artefacts, botanical specimens and paintings, to large objects such as steam engines, industrial machinery, boats and aircraft. Like other heritage assets, objects with careful study and interpretation, tell stories of the culture and history of people and communities, reflecting their tastes and ways of life.

Items of movable heritage are found in museums, government, corporate and church organisations, in private collections and in local communities. Movable heritage is significant in its own right or it may exist as an integral part of a heritage place.

One of the first points to consider is that an item of movable heritage should, if possible, be retained in the place where it was originally kept during its lifetime. Removing an item from its historical context or place may destroy the historical connections of both the place and the item. However, by its very nature, movable heritage is usually portable and may form part of a large collection of objects, such as antique furniture or paintings from a particular period.

Movable heritage needs a particular level of care and maintenance for it to survive in good condition and to preserve it for the future. All items should be cared for by trained and experienced personnel. In some cases, this can be achieved by employing a curator to manage the collection. Alternatively, a staff member can be trained to become alert to any signs that items are beginning to deteriorate.

Conservators are the professionals who deal particularly with materials and portable objects. They can provide advice on the conservation of objects or undertake conservation treatment to ensure they survive for future generations. It is important to seek professional advice; considerable damage can be caused by the wrong methods of storing or cleaning movable heritage items.

The first step for the conservation of movable heritage items is to house them in the best environment to ensure their long term survival. Taking care of movable heritage depends on the type of material from which the object is made. However, some commonsense methods can help to prevent much of the environmental damage that items may suffer:

• Allow adequate ventilation and keep the area where the item is stored dust-free;

• Light should be reduced to a minimum. Textiles, paper-based objects, dyed materials and animal or plant-based items are particularly sensitive to light. Conservation measures may be as simple as using blinds on windows to keep direct sunlight off artworks or furniture;

• Stability of temperature is very important. When humidity is low, organic materials can crack, warp or become brittle. When humidity is high, corrosion or mould can become a problem. For most objects, a temperature of around 18-25°C and relative humidity of between 50 and 60% is preferable. Conservators can advise on the particular requirements of different items;

• Air-conditioning can remove harmful pollutants that may damage materials. Check your storage area for paints, lacquers and certain timbers that have the potential to damage some surfaces of objects by emitting harmful gasses;

• Check the storage area regularly for pests, as insects and rodents can cause irreparable damage to objects.

The Heritage Office is currently working on guidelines for movable heritage and will shortly appoint a Movable Heritage Officer for a 12 month period to focus on the development and promotion of the NSW Movable Heritage Policy. This position will be jointly funded by the Ministry of the Arts and the Heritage Office, reflecting their joint responsibilities in the area of moveable heritage.