Bugolette Travel Flat Iron and Original Box
Treatment of this object was complicated by its composite nature and because it was a working object. Corrosion was removed from the iron components but soot was left as evidence of use. Mottled varnish on the handle was the result of use with liquid methylated spirits.
The Bugolette was a travel-sized spirit iron designed to be heated by burning flammable solid fuel “meta” tablets or liquid methylated spirits. According to research into contemporary newspaper advertisements, it was most popular circa the 1920s.
The original box required a more interventive approach. A treatment was designed by combining object and paper conservation techniques involving repairs with toned Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste. The greater level of intervention was justified by its greatly improved physical stability and appearance.
What was the goal the project set out to achieve?
The iron and the box had both languished in storage and required treatment to stabilise them for future study and display.
What did I do?
The metal parts of the flat iron had corrosion on the surface which I removed using acetone on cotton swabs. Abrasive methods were not appropriate as parts of the metal were coated. Soot from the object's use-life was intentionally left as it showed how the iron was used. The box required significant repairs to become physically stable. These repairs were done with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste in a hybrid method drawing from both object and paper conservation techniques.
What was the outcome?
The flat iron is now free of active corrosion which means it is more stable for the future. Its appearance is improved but the staining and dirt (soot) from its use-life remains to help teach about its function. The box is now much more structurally sound and can be put on display, which is valuable as it is rare for original packaging of such an object to survive in connection with the object itself.
What did I learn?
As an objects conservator, I had to research and learn some techniques used in paper conservation. This is why conservation of composite objects is so interesting - no two can be treated the same, as connections and interactions between the materials need to be considered.
Treatment of this object was complicated by its composite nature and because it was a working object. The flat iron and the box had radically different traits and needs.