Material culture in action: conserving\ngarments deliberately concealed\nwithin buildings

Abstract

"The study of material culture encompasses the material and the symbolic propertiesof things. Approaches based on an understanding of material culture can help with theconservation of textiles because they encourage considerations regarding changes in theirproperties, both material and symbolic, over time. Examples of textile conservation illustratematerial culture in action to the extent that they analyze the challenges posed by garmentsdeliberately concealed within buildings to conservation. The significance attributed to suchtextiles varies: some are valued as rare samples of clothing; others are appreciated for theirprotective function; while others are viewed as rubbish. The conservation strategies are indicatedby the significance attributed to these textiles."