Conserving Diplomacy

Behind the scenes of the conservation proces

Conserving DiplomacyQueen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

Chalong Phra Ong Khrui (Ceremonial Gold Robe)Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

Conserving Diplomacy

Collections from three major U.S. national institutions—the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives and Records Administration (which oversees presidential libraries), and the Library of Congress—were displayed in the exhibition, Great and Good Friends: Historic Gifts between Thailand and the United States, 1818-2018, most for the first time in Bangkok.

“Chantaboon” Woven reed mat with astrological sign of the dog “Chantaboon” Woven reed mat with astrological sign of the dog (1904)Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

For more than a century these institutions have taken great care to honor the generosity of the Kingdom of Thailand through the preservation of these historical artifacts.

Japanese-style gold niello sword, scabbard Japanese-style gold niello sword, scabbard (1861)Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

Today, they are stored in state-of-the-art facilities and careful considerations are made to limit the effects of light exposure and climate fluctuations.

Gold Niello bowl with silver trim, stand Gold Niello bowl with silver trim, stand (1931)Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

While many of the objects are in remarkable condition, particularly for their age, some items underwent conservation to improve their stability in preparation for display.

Letter from King Mongkut to President Buchanan (in Thai) Letter from King Mongkut to President Buchanan (in Thai) (1861-02-14)Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

The care that curators and conservators give to these objects is a daily testament to the friendship between Thailand and the United States.

“Chantaboon” Woven reed mat with astrological sign of the dogQueen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

Objects and Conservators

Conserving DiplomacyQueen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

12/13/17 - Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD: Textile conservator Julia Brennan explains the conservation process for the ceremonial gold robe.

“Chantaboon” Woven reed mat with astrological sign of the dogQueen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

11/30/17 - Smithsonian Institute Museum Support Center Conservation Meeting, Suitland, MD: Object Conservator Kim Cullen Cobb discusses the treatment plan for the woven mat with astrological sign of the dog with Meridian's Vice President of Cultural Programs, Terry Harvey. This meeting is in the conservation lab, and this mat will undergo the most treatment in comparison to the other GGF objects.

“Chantaboon” Woven reed mat with astrological sign of the dogQueen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

12/13/17 - SI Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD: Detail of conservation-in-progress of the “Chantaboon” woven reed mat with astrological sign of the dog.

“Chantaboon” Woven reed mat with astrological sign of the dogQueen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

Objects made of organic materials are particularly vulnerable to degradation over time. This woven reed mat at the Smithsonian, gifted by King Chulalongkorn after its display at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, developed a tear due to the fragility of the century-old plant fibers. Conservation stabilized the damage and improved this delicate object’s longevity.

Japanese-style gold niello sword, scabbardQueen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

12/11/17 - National Archives Building, Washington, DC: Detail of the hilt of the Japanese-style sword gifted by King Mongkut to President James Buchanan in 1861.

Gold Niello bowl with silver trim, standQueen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

12/11/17 - National Archives Building, Washington, DC: Curator Trevor Merrion and Kim Koons of the National Archives (right) watch as conservator Cathy Valentour explains the necessary conservation treatment for the gilded niello bowl that was gifted to President Herbert Hoover by King Prajadhipok during his U.S. visit in 1931.

Letter from King Mongkut to President Buchanan (in Thai)Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

Working in the National Archives Conservation Lab, Exhibits Technician Vincent Carney (left) and Exhibits Conservator Abigail Aldrich (right) encapsulate the 1861 "Elephant letter" from King Mongkut to President Buchanan, 2018
Washington, D.C.

Conservation - Photography Timelapse (2017-10-16)Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

Video timelapse of the ceremonial gold robe photography (pre-conservation).

Credits: Story

NARA photograph by Jeff Reed

Great and Good Friends

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Historic Gifts between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America 1818 - 2018
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