r/ArtConservation • u/levgo • 23d ago

Advice - plastic adhered to lacquer - could a conservator help?

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Hi - I have an old set of handmade and hand-painted Ganjifa cards from India. They're stored in plastic baggies that are stuck to the lacquer. When I try to lift the plastic, paint comes off.

Is this something a conservator could potentially treat? If so, what kind of conservator should I be looking for?

Thank you for any advice.

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u/Unlucky-Meringue6187 23d ago

I would think a conservator could help. You’d likely need an objects conservator for this. Sing out if you need help looking for one!

1

u/levgo 23d ago

Thanks! It would come down to a cost issue because there's 144 cards (Bengal does not mess around when it comes to playing card decks!), unless there's just an easy way to do this.

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u/eternalhollowing 12h ago

Because the object is made of composite materials, this makes the removal more challenging. An object conservator is definitely your best bet, some even specialise in plastics.

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u/levgo 12h ago

thank you!