ConNext-2021

58 Giant Jigsaw Puzzles The Problems Concerning Disassembled Wall Panelling in Museum Collections KEYWORDS: digital reconstruction, historic interior, museum storage, wall panelling, wood. In the fall of 2020, after being in a depot for nearly 70 years, 80 fragments of historic wall panelling were being subjected to an assessment. Figure 1. The objective was to document and mark all components and to determine the condition, authenticity and completeness of the object. Another request was to visualise the object via a digital reconstruction and to give storage advice. Figure 2. The problems surrounding this case might be exemplary for similar objects. This study explores the problems museums are facing that have disassembled wall panelling in their collection. Literature research as well as interviews with conservators were carried out. It revealed that problems typically revolve around three issues, of which logistic problems are the most pressing. Storage and transport of the often very large and heavy, but also very small elements of mixed materials are challenging. Specific damage and dissociation are associated with this logistic issue. Logistic problems also render the assessment of the objects a difficult endeavour. Many objects are therefore poorly described and documented. Often museums do not know the nature or condition of wall panelling they have. Lastly, the value of the objects for museums often has diminished due to shifted values and opinions, causing wall panelling that formerly often was on permanent display, to be gradually transferred to the depots, unavailable to the public and to research. Due to above mentioned problems, many objects face an obscure future in storage. The current project however showed that a digital reconstruction in combination with a thorough assessment of the components of the object, can provide a lot of information. Information that may support the storage and transport of objects, as well as prevent dissociation. Digitalisation will furthermore increase accessibility of these objects and so benefit both research and public impact. info[at] welmoedkreb.nl