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Persian Cross-stitch

Textile
Persian Cross-Stitch, possibly collected in Ottoman Palestine (not Iran) during late 19th century, early 20th century or brought to Phoebe Hearst when visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912. If belonging to Phoebe Hearst, could be 19th century Ottoman Palestine because she was of Bahá’i faith, she traveled to Ottoman Palestine in 1898, and visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912. Cross stitch has various colors of stitching. Looks like a sample of various stitches; very mixed motif and type of stitch.

DiscolorationAccretionMissing Areas / HolesStainsSoiling/Grime

Apr 9, 2019

Tanya Nakamoto

Staining throughout, some darker like splatters that have formed holes. Some stitching has broken and disintegrated due to either sun damage or abrasion. Colors faded. Wax and other encrustations attached to threads.

Cleaning

Registration

Apr 9, 2019

Research, documentation, photos

Hepa-Vacuum

Apr 9, 2019

Vacuumed

Testing

Apr 10, 2019 - Apr 11, 2019

Spot cleaned with test solution. Swabs removed degraded threads while cleaning. No change to oily spots. Continued spot cleaning.

Lining Support

Apr 24, 2019 - Apr 25, 2019

Tea dyed linen pieces to color match for patches.

Wet-Clean

Apr 25, 2019 - May 8, 2019

Further cleaning with suction platen and cleaning solution: 50 mL Distilled H2O, 2g. Chloramine T, 0.5g bleach gel, 1g. Orvus paste. Diluted and added bleach as needed. Brushed on cyclomethicone solution (91% isopropyl alcohol + Cyclomethicone). Blotted with surgical pads as necessary. Suction platen is lined with two layers Hollytex.

Dye

May 8, 2019

Dyed patches to sew on reverse.

Hand Sewn Repairs

May 8, 2019 - May 15, 2019

Began sewing and couching patches with photos taken throughout process. For patches, cut piece larger than hole and machine sewed edge to prevent fraying. Zig-zag sewed around patch with small stitches on face of piece. Couch edge of hole down to patch with small couching stitches.

Lining Support

May 16, 2019 - May 17, 2019

Cut and sewed edges of lining fabric and began sewing to piece. Completed and took photos.

Rehousing

May 20, 2019

Rolled onto padded tube.

Persian Cross-stitch picture number 1
Persian Cross-Stitch; Believed to be collected or given to Phoebe Hearst in the late 1800s or early 1910s. #1 hole and dark brown stains #2 dark brown stains #3 waxy accretion and oily stain #4 holes and dark brown stains #5 hole and dark brown stains #6 oily stain and missing threads #7 dark brown and oily stains #8 hole and dark brown stains #9 oily stains #10 dark brown stain #11 holes and dark brown stains #12 hole and dark brown stain #13 oily stain #14 waxy accretion #15 oily and dark brown stains #16 oily stains Back side of piece before treatment Location of #14 waxy accretion Close up before removal of #14 waxy accretion Close up before cleaning of #3 waxy accretion Close up after cleaning #14 waxy accretion Persian Cross-stitch picture number 24 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 25 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 26 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 27 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 28 Patches before tea dyeing (linen) Persian Cross-stitch picture number 30 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 31 During cleaning process Persian Cross-stitch picture number 33 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 34 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 35 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 36 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 37 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 38 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 39 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 40 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 41 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 42 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 43 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 44 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 45 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 46 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 47 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 48 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 49 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 50 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 51 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 52 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 53 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 54 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 55 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 56 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 57 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 58 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 59 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 60 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 61 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 62 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 63 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 64 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 65 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 66 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 67 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 68 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 69 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 70 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 71 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 72 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 73 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 74 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 75 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 76 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 77 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 78 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 79 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 80 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 81 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 82 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 83 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 84 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 85 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 86 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 87 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 88 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 89 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 90 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 91 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 92 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 93 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 94 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 95 Persian Cross-stitch picture number 96