Estonian Museum Association
Muuseumi tee 2, Tartu, tel 735 0412
emy(ä)muuseum.ee
In English / Professional development / Contemporary museum / Standards for preventive conservation
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Type of item
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Temp. C
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Humidity
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Illumination lx
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UV- light
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Additional conditions
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Textile
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Cotton
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below +20
even
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44-55 %
even
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Below 50 lx,
dark storage
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Must be protected
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Textiles must be separated from each other with neutral silk paper or
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Wool and silk
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below +20
even
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44-60 %
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Below 50 lx,
dark storage
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Must be protected
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butter muslin. Air must be clear and ventilation excellent.
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Regenerated fibre
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below +20
even
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44-55 %
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Below 50 lx,
dark storage
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Must be protected
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Textile folds must be supported with silk paper.
Avoid unnecessary handling.
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Leather and fur
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Below +15
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50%
Even
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Below 50 lx,
dark storage
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Must be protected
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Fur items must be kept separately from one another. Air must be clear and ventilation excellent. Leather items are supported from inside and kept in separate boxes.
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Works of art
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Oil and tempera on canvas
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+18-+20
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50-55 %
Even
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Below 150 lx
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Must be protected
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Temperature and moisture must not change more than 2 degrees in a week.
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Paintings made on wood
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+18-+20
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55 %
Even
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Below 150 lx
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Must be protected
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Air must be clear and ventilation excellent
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Aquarelle, graphic art
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+18-+20
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50 %
Even
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below 45 lx
dark storage
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Must be protected
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Works without frames must be mounted. The picture-side is covered with silk paper.
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Pastel
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+20
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55 %
Even
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Keep in dark
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Must be protected
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Picture surface must not be touched.
If glazed, must be protected with pastel slat. Protect against vibration.
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Wooden sculptures
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+18
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55 %
Even
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Below 150 lx
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Must be protected
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Protect items against dust with silk or craft paper.
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Metal sculptures
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+18
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Below 40%
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-
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-
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Plaster sculptures
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+18
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50 %
Even
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-
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-
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Plaster items stain easily.
Air must be clear. Cotton gloves and softening materials must be used during transport.
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Stone sculptures
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+18
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50 %
Even
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-
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-
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Protect against shock.
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Photographic material
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Monochrome
negatives
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+5-+8
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30-40%
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Keep in dark
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Protect during handling.
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Avoid touching the surface of photos and negatives. Items must be handled with cotton gloves.
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Monochrome
paper photos
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+5-+8
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30-40%
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Keep in dark
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Protect during handling.
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Temperature and moisture must not change more than 2 degrees in a week.
All materials will perish, if
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Polychrome negatives
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+2-+5
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30-40%
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Keep in dark
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Protect during handling.
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Temperature is above +23 degrees and moisture is above 59%.
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Polychrome paper photos
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+5
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25-30%
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Keep in dark
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Protect during handling.
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Keep separately in a package made of acid free material.
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Metal items
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Iron, nickel-plated and chrome-plated items
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+16-+18
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below 30%
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Painted surface
below 300 lx
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-
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Closed wooden boxes must be avoided.
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Copper and Cu-based alloy items
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+16-+18
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below 30%
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Painted surface
below 300 lx
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-
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Tin items
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üle +16
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below 30%
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Below 300 lx
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-
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Silver and gold items
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+16-+18
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below 30%
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below 300 lx
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Weapons
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below 300 lx
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Leather and wooden details must be protected.
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Ceramic, porcelain and glass items
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+16-+18
Even
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30-40%
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Below 300 lx
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Must be protected
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Items must be isolated from one another.
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Wooden items
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+18-+20
Even
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45-55%
even
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Below 150 lx
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Must be protected
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Items must be handled with cotton gloves.
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Mirrors
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+18
Even
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50%
Even
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Below 150 lx
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Protect, if possible
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Old mirrors might contain mercury.
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Zoological collections
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Birds, animals and fish
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+14-+18
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48-60%
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Below 100 lx
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Must be protected
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Air must be clear and ventilation excellent. Temperature and moisture must not change more than 2 degrees in a week
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Insects
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+14-+18
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55-60%
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Below 100 lx
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Must be protected
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Avoid unnecessary handling.
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In jar
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+18-+20
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50-60%
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below 100 lx
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Must be protected
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Botanical collections
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Dried
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below +18
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20-30%
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below 100 lx
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Must be protected
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Avoid unnecessary handling.
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In jar
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+18-+20
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50-60%
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below 100 lx
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Must be protected
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