Raccoon and Chipmunk Repair

Damage: The chipmunk in the raccoons mouth had been separated from the mount by mice in the vicinity and was only attached by the cotton stuffing. The piece was covered in mouse droppings and required an overall cleaning from two layers of scaffolding. 

Repair: The original stuffing was replaced inside the chipmunk and then adhered back into place. Ace bandages were used to keep the chipmunk in place while the adhesive set.

Taxidermy Shrew Project

Damage: Deceased by natural causes, required preservation for training purposes.
Repair: The shrew was cut open, skin removed from interior and salted, the cape (pelt with head attached) was then washed and treated. A half body mould was made from clay and wire for the cape to fit on and shaped for this project. The incision seam was then closed. Simultaneously the skull was removed from the body, scraped clean of meat, bleached with hydrogen peroxide multiple times to remove excess meat, cartilage, and organs from inside the skull. Finally the skull was polished for display.

Rabbit Skull Bleaching

Damage: The skull was found in the wild and likely passed away from natural causes. It was covered in decay, tissue matter inside the skull, and was yellowing with age.
Repair: The skull was cleaned using mechanical methods and then given a bath in hydrogen peroxide for further cleaning and to aid in the removal of the tissue matter.

Duel Antler Mount Refurnish

Damage: The original state of the mounts were loose on the plaque and the textile was an older green velvet that required replacement, additionally the antlers needed to be cleaned and polished.
Repair: Original textile was removed from the plaster molding to find that they were cracked and unstable. The cracks were filled as well as around the back of the mould for stability. The new textile was applied by creating a draped pattern and adhering it to the plaster mould. A faux binding was then added as decorative accent.  The antlers were cleaned and polished and then the wood was refinished to create a sleek design.

Pronghorn Antelope Repair

Pronghorn Antelope Repair:

Damage: This piece was dropped from a nine foot high shelf. The interior structure and top of skull mount for antlers shattered, the antlers fell out, an ear, eye, eyelash, top of head broke down the seam and between antlers. 

Repair: Reconstruction of the interior had to be completed before the rest of mount could be put back together. Then the remainder of the skull had to be replaced, ear put back in place, eye and eyelash and fur had to be put back together. Fills were made in remaining cracks, hair filled appropriate voids down back center seam. Hairless fills were in-painted to match rest of mount.

Antelope Mount Crack Repair

Damage:This antelope mount had damage around the eyes, cracks and voids around the face.

During the restoration of this piece, the faulty previous restoration under the ear on the left side came out and required more extensive treatment. There was a previous restoration under the left ear that required toning to match and blend in with the rest of the piece.

Restoration: The repair consisted of filling cracks and voids, overpainting cracks, repainting the area around the eyes to match. All restoration was done using conservation techniques and applications. After putting a varnish seal on the previous restoration, I started applying the in-painting and the previous patches fell inside of the mount.  This required further filling and in-painting to create a cohesive and non-noticeable look.

Faux Real-- Exhibit Copy

These images are exhibit copy researched and designed by myself for the Fashion Exhibit at Stephens College Costume Museum Research Library: Faux Real. The original poster was designed for this exhibit by Craig Cole.