Restoration Workshop Library.

Mefidk · 21st July 2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

This is such a huge subject, it would need it's own sub-forum where articles on specific elements of restoration could be posted or moved.

Sounds like an excellent idea to me. There is lots of information out there in the forums regarding 'looking after' our artefacts, but it is sometimes hard to find. A sub-forum would make it both centralized, and more easily accessible than a few sticky threads. That way preservation, conservation and restoration could all be given enough space to grow into a really useful library.

Rick · 21st July 2011, 06:49 PM

A passworded private subforum can possibly be created for this effort's researchers/compilers .
I would think a half dozen dedicated people would suffice for the effort .
A lot will be search engine work on this site and others; gleaning if you will .

After the resource effort is completed then it could be made a regular subforum or page .

There will probably be additions to be made in the future to the list; I would suggest that they be made as PM's to that forum's future Moderator .

I strongly believe that at least *some* vetting of submitted tips and hints should be carried out .

I also think that public posting in this sub-forum should not be allowed .
We want to get information across clearly and simply; chatter would only make sorting things out harder .

This site has no commercial interests at all nor does it want to have any; everything is paid for; ain't life grand .

Rick

A. G. Maisey · 23rd July 2011, 05:50 AM

My own area of special interest is one where ongoing restoration is an accepted and normal part of collection.

It is the normal, natural process that is applied to preserving the items which those of us involved in this sphere of tosan aji pursue.

Because of this, much of what has already been said in this thread appears to be self evident to me, and I have not contributed before now because I felt that another post in general agreement with the proposals that have been put forward would not be particularly valuable.

However, I note that Rick has suggested a way in which ongoing contributions to a resource to assist conservation/restoration could be structured in order to make it a safe and useable guide for people with varying levels of experience.

I wish to make it a matter of record that I fully endorse Rick's suggestions, and I feel that if anybody has any additional contribution or comment in respect of these suggestions, now might be a very good time to speak up.

Either we want something useable, or we do not.

Either we want a clearly structured way in which to proceed, or we do not.

The moderators and staff of our discussion group cannot function in a vacuum: - they need feedback and comment in order to make not only this idea for a restoration resource functional but indeed , for the ongoing success of our very valuable Forum.

In respect of what approach should be adopted in the restoration/conservation of historic weaponry, I feel that the philosophy of the professional restorator is probably correct:-

do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible.

kai · 24th July 2011, 12:10 AM

Hello Alan,

Quote:

In respect of what approach should be adopted in the restoration/conservation of historic weaponry, I feel that the philosophy of the professional restorator is probably correct:-

do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible.

The crux is that we have a sliding scale here: a museum curator (of an academic ethnographic collection in Europe, for example) usually has a very different approach regarding what is "necessary" than what a keris enthusiast in central Jawa may deem "necessary" (and I realize that there even are different approaches within modern Jawanese society)...

Commenting or judging on possibly conflicting advice/tips may pose another problem.

I guess a kind of pluralistic approach that compiles (in a structured manner) diverse suggestions/explanations/discussions and, especially, reasonably detailed descriptions of methods may suffice (possibly with added warnings if really deemed necessary) rather than trying to edit an officially sanctioned "how to" manual.

In any case, I'd strongly endorse to link to each original posting so that it is possible to explore the original context.

Regards,
Kai

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th July 2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

My own area of special interest is one where ongoing restoration is an accepted and normal part of collection.

It is the normal, natural process that is applied to preserving the items which those of us involved in this sphere of tosan aji pursue.

Because of this, much of what has already been said in this thread appears to be self evident to me, and I have not contributed before now because I felt that another post in general agreement with the proposals that have been put forward would not be particularly valuable.

However, I note that Rick has suggested a way in which ongoing contributions to a resource to assist conservation/restoration could be structured in order to make it a safe and useable guide for people with varying levels of experience.

I wish to make it a matter of record that I fully endorse Rick's suggestions, and I feel that if anybody has any additional contribution or comment in respect of these suggestions, now might be a very good time to speak up.

Either we want something useable, or we do not.

Either we want a clearly structured way in which to proceed, or we do not.

The moderators and staff of our discussion group cannot function in a vacuum: - they need feedback and comment in order to make not only this idea for a restoration resource functional but indeed , for the ongoing success of our very valuable Forum.

In respect of what approach should be adopted in the restoration/conservation of historic weaponry, I feel that the philosophy of the professional restorator is probably correct:-

do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible.

Salaams,

Restoration Workshops Library(or sub Forum). This is an excellent proposal. I hope that whatever shape is adopted and the concensus points toward a sub forum I suggest that by having an open Alphabetical Index that all forum members can participate. It follows that a general introduction would convey the flavour of this sub forum and I respectfully submit that the motto: "do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible" ( QUOTE attributed to =A. G. Maisey.) be placed under the Tittle.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

kai · 24th July 2011, 12:35 AM

Hello Rick,

I'm game.

Quote:

A passworded private subforum can possibly be created for this effort's researchers/compilers .
I would think a half dozen dedicated people would suffice for the effort .

Quote:

I strongly believe that at least *some* vetting of submitted tips and hints should be carried out .

Maybe some more folks with experience in different areas or topics may be nice to allow for discussions and different POVs.

Regards,
Kai

Rick · 24th July 2011, 01:15 AM

That's great Kai .

Thank you .

Anyone else wish to be on the development team ?

I think Jim might make a good Staff Advisor on this project .

Rick

A. G. Maisey · 24th July 2011, 01:57 AM

Yes Kai, you're quite correct, a variable approach is necessary, and I feel that this is as it should be.

The person in Central Jawa is operating within the cultural constraints of his society, just as the curator in London, New York or Paris is operating within the constraints of his society. For the collectors who frequent our discussions, the constraints are different yet again, as it seems to me that there are perhaps as many different philosophies as there are collectors.

This being so, the "--- do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible.---" approach is clearly the only overarching philosophy that will satisfy all objectives, as each person sets his own objectives, in accordance with his own philosophy.

Rick, I'd be happy to assist in respect of items of tosan aji, I do have considerable experience in this field, and it seems that my private emails to collectors often deal with one aspect or another of the management of tosan aji. However, I would be reluctant to involve myself in other areas, because although I do have a little experience in some other fields, and my methods have been successful in most instances, they seem to often vary from the methods used by people who specialise in these other areas.

Tim Simmons · 24th July 2011, 09:01 AM

A really good idea. I need information on working with organic matierals like, rattan, coir, grass, rush and other fibers. Where to get them and in small enough quantity. An item may be incomplete and vunerable just for the lack of some cordage, which would have always been replace as and when needed in the original enviroment. I have had some success with rehilting sabers and other sword fittings; would be happy to pass on any information that might be helpful.

Rick · 24th July 2011, 05:22 PM

Great discussion Gentlemen; many good ideas floated .
Jim has graciously declined to lead this effort .
The Warung is where I belong; so this will not be my group to lead .

Keep the ideas coming .

Best,
Rick

21st July 2011, 06:49 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Depends On The Boss, But ..... A passworded private subforum can possibly be created for this effort's researchers/compilers . I would think a half dozen dedicated people would suffice for the effort . A lot will be search engine work on this site and others; gleaning if you will . After the resource effort is completed then it could be made a regular subforum or page . There will probably be additions to be made in the future to the list; I would suggest that they be made as PM's to that forum's future Moderator . I strongly believe that at least some vetting of submitted tips and hints should be carried out . I also think that public posting in this sub-forum should not be allowed . We want to get information across clearly and simply; chatter would only make sorting things out harder . This site has no commercial interests at all nor does it want to have any; everything is paid for; ain't life grand . Rick

23rd July 2011, 05:50 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	My own area of special interest is one where ongoing restoration is an accepted and normal part of collection. It is the normal, natural process that is applied to preserving the items which those of us involved in this sphere of tosan aji pursue. Because of this, much of what has already been said in this thread appears to be self evident to me, and I have not contributed before now because I felt that another post in general agreement with the proposals that have been put forward would not be particularly valuable. However, I note that Rick has suggested a way in which ongoing contributions to a resource to assist conservation/restoration could be structured in order to make it a safe and useable guide for people with varying levels of experience. I wish to make it a matter of record that I fully endorse Rick's suggestions, and I feel that if anybody has any additional contribution or comment in respect of these suggestions, now might be a very good time to speak up. Either we want something useable, or we do not. Either we want a clearly structured way in which to proceed, or we do not. The moderators and staff of our discussion group cannot function in a vacuum: - they need feedback and comment in order to make not only this idea for a restoration resource functional but indeed , for the ongoing success of our very valuable Forum. In respect of what approach should be adopted in the restoration/conservation of historic weaponry, I feel that the philosophy of the professional restorator is probably correct:- do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible.

24th July 2011, 01:15 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	That's great Kai . Thank you . Anyone else wish to be on the development team ? I think Jim might make a good Staff Advisor on this project . Rick

24th July 2011, 01:57 AM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Yes Kai, you're quite correct, a variable approach is necessary, and I feel that this is as it should be. The person in Central Jawa is operating within the cultural constraints of his society, just as the curator in London, New York or Paris is operating within the constraints of his society. For the collectors who frequent our discussions, the constraints are different yet again, as it seems to me that there are perhaps as many different philosophies as there are collectors. This being so, the "--- do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible.---" approach is clearly the only overarching philosophy that will satisfy all objectives, as each person sets his own objectives, in accordance with his own philosophy. Rick, I'd be happy to assist in respect of items of tosan aji, I do have considerable experience in this field, and it seems that my private emails to collectors often deal with one aspect or another of the management of tosan aji. However, I would be reluctant to involve myself in other areas, because although I do have a little experience in some other fields, and my methods have been successful in most instances, they seem to often vary from the methods used by people who specialise in these other areas.

24th July 2011, 09:01 AM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	A really good idea. I need information on working with organic matierals like, rattan, coir, grass, rush and other fibers. Where to get them and in small enough quantity. An item may be incomplete and vunerable just for the lack of some cordage, which would have always been replace as and when needed in the original enviroment. I have had some success with rehilting sabers and other sword fittings; would be happy to pass on any information that might be helpful.

24th July 2011, 05:22 PM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Great discussion Gentlemen; many good ideas floated . Jim has graciously declined to lead this effort . The Warung is where I belong; so this will not be my group to lead . Keep the ideas coming . Best, Rick